A Wagner Matinée Quizzes

A Wagner Matinée Quiz: "A Wagner Matinée"

1 Who sent Clark the letter at the start of the story?

Aunt Georgiana

Clark's friend

Clark's mother

Uncle Howard
2 Why was Aunt Georgiana coming to Boston?

She wanted to get away from Nebraska for a little while.

She had been left a legacy by a bachelor relative and had to settle the estate.

She wanted to visit Clark.

She wanted to connect with some former colleagues at the Boston Conservatory.
3 When was Aunt Georgiana due to arrive?

In one year

The day prior

The very next day

Two weeks from when Clark received the letter
4 How does Uncle Howard's letter make Clark feel?

Angry

Overcome by memories

Sad

Excited
5 How did Aunt Georgiana travel from Nebraska to Boston?

Horse-drawn wagon

Plane

Day coach

Boat
6 What happened to Aunt Georgiana on the train ride?

She made friends with a fellow passenger.

Her clothes became black with soot and dust.

She fell asleep and missed her stop.

She decided to not return to Nebraska.
7 What did Aunt Georgiana do immediately upon arriving at Clark's boarding house?

Listen to music

Take a nap

Cry

Ask him about his life in Boston
8 What had been Aunt Georgiana's occupation before marriage?

A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory

A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A dressmaker

A farmhand in Nebraska
9 Where did Aunt Georgiana first meet Howard Carpenter?

In a village in the Green Mountains, Vermont

In Nebraska

At the Boston Conservatory

In the audience of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
10 How does Clark describe the love between Aunt Georgiana and Uncle Howard?

Regretful

Inspiring

Inexplicable

Star-crossed
11 Where did Aunt Howard buy a homestead?

Douglas County, Nebraska

Fenway, Boston

The Green Mountains, Vermont

Red Willow County, Nebraska
12 How long had Aunt Georgiana lived on the Nebraska homestead before visiting Clark in Boston?

Five years

A decade

One year

Thirty years
13 What does Clark consider the most striking aspect of his aunt's appearance?

Her yellow skin

Her ill-fitting false teeth

The poor quality of her dress

The disorder that caused the twitching of her eyebrows and mouth
14 How did Clark feel about his aunt as a boy?

Reverential and affectionate

Resentful

Disgusted and afraid

Friendly
15 What did Aunt Georgiana teach Clark as a boy on the Nebraska prairie?

How to cook

How to play an accordian

Music scales and exercises

How to husk corn
16 How did Aunt Georgiana feel about religion?

She adopted the religion of her husband.

She hated religion.

She grew up religious but didn't pay it much mind.

She was pious and martyr-like.
17 What outing did Clark plan for Aunt Georgiana's visit?

A walk on the Boston Common

A fine meal at a restaurant

A tour of the Boston Conservatory

A matinée performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
18 What was Aunt Georgiana preoccupied with when she arrived in Boston?

Concern over the chores she had left behind in Nebraska

Concern over the estate she was in Boston to settle

Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies

Anticipation about being back in Boston
19 What was Clark afraid of as he and his aunt entered the concert hall?

She would hate the music.

She would embarrass him.

She would feel embarrassed or out of place.

He had wasted his money.
20 Who was in the audience at the concert hall?

A mix of ages, races, and professions

Mostly families with young children

Mostly Conservatory students

Mostly women in beautiful dresses
21 What was Aunt Georgiana's physical reaction when the concert started?

She began to cry.

She got up and left.

She closed her eyes.

She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.
22 What did Clark think about during the concert?

He watched his aunt, trying to deduce her feelings.

He remembered his childhood.

He was overcome with emotion himself.

He was grateful for his music studies.
23 What did Aunt Georgiana do with her hands as the concert continued?

Played a phantom piano

Smoothed her hair

Held Clark's hands

Knotted them in her lap
24 When did Aunt Georgiana begin crying?

When the concert ended

During the "Prize Song"

During the second half of the concert

During the prelude to Tristan and Isolde
25 What did Clark learn about his aunt by the end of the concert?

She did not wish to return to Nebraska.

She hated music now.

She missed him very much.

She loved her life in Nebraska.

Study Guide for A Wagner Matinée

A Wagner Matinée study guide contains a biography of Willa Cather, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

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A Wagner Matinée

by Willa Cather

A Wagner Matinée Quiz: "A Wagner Matinée"

A Wagner Matinée Questions and Answers

Study Guide for A Wagner Matinée

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