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 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

The day prior

The very next day

In one year
4 How does Uncle Howard's letter make Clark feel?
Overcome by memories

Angry

Excited

Sad
5 How did Aunt Georgiana travel from Nebraska to Boston?
Boat

Plane

Horse-drawn wagon

Day coach
6 What happened to Aunt Georgiana on the train ride?
She fell asleep and missed her stop.

Her clothes became black with soot and dust.

She made friends with a fellow passenger.

She decided to not return to Nebraska.
7 What did Aunt Georgiana do immediately upon arriving at Clark's boarding house?
Ask him about his life in Boston

Listen to music

Cry

Take a nap
8 What had been Aunt Georgiana's occupation before marriage?
A farmhand in Nebraska

A dressmaker

A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory

A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra
9 Where did Aunt Georgiana first meet Howard Carpenter?
In Nebraska

In a village in the Green Mountains, Vermont

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?
Inspiring

Regretful

Inexplicable

Star-crossed
11 Where did Aunt Howard buy a homestead?
The Green Mountains, Vermont

Douglas County, Nebraska

Fenway, Boston

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

Thirty years

One year

A decade
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 yellow skin

The poor quality of her dress

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

Disgusted and afraid

Resentful

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

How to husk corn

How to play an accordian

Music scales and exercises
16 How did Aunt Georgiana feel about religion?
She hated religion.

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

She was pious and martyr-like.

She adopted the religion of her husband.
17 What outing did Clark plan for Aunt Georgiana's visit?
A fine meal at a restaurant

A tour of the Boston Conservatory

A walk on the Boston Common

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

Eagerness to hear about Clark's studies

Concern over the chores she had left behind in Nebraska

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?
Mostly families with young children

Mostly women in beautiful dresses

Mostly Conservatory students

A mix of ages, races, and professions
21 What was Aunt Georgiana's physical reaction when the concert started?
She clutched Clark's coat sleeve.

She got up and left.

She began to cry.

She closed her eyes.
22 What did Clark think about during the concert?
He watched his aunt, trying to deduce her feelings.

He remembered his childhood.

He was grateful for his music studies.

He was overcome with emotion himself.
23 What did Aunt Georgiana do with her hands as the concert continued?
Knotted them in her lap

Played a phantom piano

Held Clark's hands

Smoothed her hair
24 When did Aunt Georgiana begin crying?
During the second half of the concert

During the prelude to Tristan and Isolde

During the "Prize Song"

When the concert ended
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 did not wish to return to Nebraska.

She hated music now.

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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