A Wagner Matinée Quizzes

A Wagner Matinée Quiz: "A Wagner Matinée"

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

Clark's friend

Aunt Georgiana

Clark's mother
2 Why was Aunt Georgiana coming to Boston?
She had been left a legacy by a bachelor relative and had to settle the estate.

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

She wanted to connect with some former colleagues at the Boston Conservatory.

She wanted to visit Clark.
3 When was Aunt Georgiana due to arrive?
Two weeks from when Clark received the letter

In one year

The very next day

The day prior
4 How does Uncle Howard's letter make Clark feel?
Excited

Sad

Overcome by memories

Angry
5 How did Aunt Georgiana travel from Nebraska to Boston?
Day coach

Plane

Horse-drawn wagon

Boat
6 What happened to Aunt Georgiana on the train ride?
Her clothes became black with soot and dust.

She fell asleep and missed her stop.

She decided to not return to Nebraska.

She made friends with a fellow passenger.
7 What did Aunt Georgiana do immediately upon arriving at Clark's boarding house?
Listen to music

Cry

Take a nap

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 dressmaker

A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra

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

At the Boston Conservatory

In a village in the Green Mountains, Vermont

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

Star-crossed

Inspiring

Inexplicable
11 Where did Aunt Howard buy a homestead?
The Green Mountains, Vermont

Red Willow County, Nebraska

Douglas County, Nebraska

Fenway, Boston
12 How long had Aunt Georgiana lived on the Nebraska homestead before visiting Clark in Boston?
Thirty years

A decade

Five years

One year
13 What does Clark consider the most striking aspect of his aunt's appearance?
The disorder that caused the twitching of her eyebrows and mouth

Her ill-fitting false teeth

The poor quality of her dress

Her yellow skin
14 How did Clark feel about his aunt as a boy?
Resentful

Friendly

Disgusted and afraid

Reverential and affectionate
15 What did Aunt Georgiana teach Clark as a boy on the Nebraska prairie?
How to cook

How to play an accordian

How to husk corn

Music scales and exercises
16 How did Aunt Georgiana feel about religion?
She adopted the religion of her husband.

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

She was pious and martyr-like.

She hated religion.
17 What outing did Clark plan for Aunt Georgiana's visit?
A fine meal at a restaurant

A tour of the Boston Conservatory

A matinée performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A walk on the Boston Common
18 What was Aunt Georgiana preoccupied with when she arrived in Boston?
Concern over the chores she had left behind in Nebraska

Anticipation about being back in Boston

Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies

Concern over the estate she was in Boston to settle
19 What was Clark afraid of as he and his aunt entered the concert hall?
He had wasted his money.

She would hate the music.

She would embarrass him.

She would feel embarrassed or out of place.
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 closed her eyes.

She began to cry.

She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.

She got up and left.
22 What did Clark think about during the concert?
He watched his aunt, trying to deduce her feelings.

He was grateful for his music studies.

He remembered his childhood.

He was overcome with emotion himself.
23 What did Aunt Georgiana do with her hands as the concert continued?
Played a phantom piano

Knotted them in her lap

Smoothed her hair

Held Clark's hands
24 When did Aunt Georgiana begin crying?
During the second half of the concert

When the concert ended

During the prelude to Tristan and Isolde

During the "Prize Song"
25 What did Clark learn about his aunt by the end of the concert?
She loved her life in Nebraska.

She missed him very much.

She hated music now.

She did not wish to return to 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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