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

Clark's mother

Aunt Georgiana
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 connect with some former colleagues at the Boston Conservatory.

She wanted to visit Clark.

She wanted to get away from Nebraska for a little while.
3 When was Aunt Georgiana due to arrive?

Two weeks from when Clark received the letter

The day prior

The very next day

In one year
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?

Horse-drawn wagon

Plane

Day coach

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

She fell asleep and missed her stop.

She decided to not return to Nebraska.

Her clothes became black with soot and dust.

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

Listen to music

Ask him about his life in Boston

Cry

Take a nap
8 What had been Aunt Georgiana's occupation before marriage?

A farmhand in Nebraska

A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory

A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A dressmaker
9 Where did Aunt Georgiana first meet Howard Carpenter?

In Nebraska

In the audience of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

At the Boston Conservatory

In a village in the Green Mountains, Vermont
10 How does Clark describe the love between Aunt Georgiana and Uncle Howard?

Inexplicable

Inspiring

Star-crossed

Regretful
11 Where did Aunt Howard buy a homestead?

Fenway, Boston

Red Willow County, Nebraska

The Green Mountains, Vermont

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

Five years

Thirty years

A decade

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

The poor quality of her dress

Her yellow skin

The disorder that caused the twitching of her eyebrows and mouth

Her ill-fitting false teeth
14 How did Clark feel about his aunt as a boy?

Reverential and affectionate

Resentful

Friendly

Disgusted and afraid
15 What did Aunt Georgiana teach Clark as a boy on the Nebraska prairie?

How to play an accordian

Music scales and exercises

How to husk corn

How to cook
16 How did Aunt Georgiana feel about religion?

She hated religion.

She was pious and martyr-like.

She adopted the religion of her husband.

She grew up religious but didn't pay it much mind.
17 What outing did Clark plan for Aunt Georgiana's visit?

A matinée performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A fine meal at a restaurant

A tour of the Boston Conservatory

A walk on the Boston Common
18 What was Aunt Georgiana preoccupied with when she arrived in Boston?

Concern over the estate she was in Boston to settle

Anticipation about being back in Boston

Concern over the chores she had left behind in Nebraska

Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies
19 What was Clark afraid of as he and his aunt entered the concert hall?

She would hate the music.

She would embarrass him.

He had wasted his money.

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 Conservatory students

Mostly families with young children

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

She got up and left.

She began to cry.

She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.

She closed her eyes.
22 What did Clark think about during the concert?

He was overcome with emotion himself.

He was grateful for his music studies.

He watched his aunt, trying to deduce her feelings.

He remembered his childhood.
23 What did Aunt Georgiana do with her hands as the concert continued?

Knotted them in her lap

Held Clark's hands

Played a phantom piano

Smoothed her hair
24 When did Aunt Georgiana begin crying?

During the second half of the concert

When the concert ended

During the "Prize Song"

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

She missed him very much.

She hated music now.

She did not wish to return to Nebraska.

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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