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 mother

Uncle Howard

Clark's friend
2 Why was Aunt Georgiana coming to Boston?

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

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.
3 When was Aunt Georgiana due to arrive?

The day prior

The very next day

In one year

Two weeks from when Clark received the letter
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?

Plane

Day coach

Boat

Horse-drawn wagon
6 What happened to Aunt Georgiana on the train ride?

She decided to not return to Nebraska.

Her clothes became black with soot and dust.

She fell asleep and missed her stop.

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

Listen to music

Take a nap

Ask him about his life in Boston

Cry
8 What had been Aunt Georgiana's occupation before marriage?

A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A farmhand in Nebraska

A dressmaker

A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory
9 Where did Aunt Georgiana first meet Howard Carpenter?

In a village in the Green Mountains, Vermont

At the Boston Conservatory

In the audience of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

In Nebraska
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?

Douglas County, Nebraska

Red Willow County, Nebraska

Fenway, Boston

The Green Mountains, Vermont
12 How long had Aunt Georgiana lived on the Nebraska homestead before visiting Clark in Boston?

Thirty years

Five years

A decade

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

Her yellow skin

The poor quality of her dress

Her ill-fitting false teeth

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

Friendly

Resentful

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

How to husk corn

How to cook

How to play an accordian

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

She was pious and martyr-like.

She hated religion.

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

She adopted the religion of her husband.
17 What outing did Clark plan for Aunt Georgiana's visit?

A tour of the Boston Conservatory

A matinée performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A walk on the Boston Common

A fine meal at a restaurant
18 What was Aunt Georgiana preoccupied with when she arrived in Boston?

Concern over the estate she was in Boston to settle

Concern over the chores she had left behind in Nebraska

Anticipation about being back in Boston

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.

He had wasted his money.

She would feel embarrassed or out of place.

She would embarrass him.
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 clutched Clark's coat sleeve.

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

He was grateful for his music studies.

He watched his aunt, trying to deduce her feelings.

He was overcome with emotion himself.

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

Played a phantom piano

Knotted them in her lap

Held Clark's hands

Smoothed her hair
24 When did Aunt Georgiana begin crying?

During the "Prize Song"

During the second half of the concert

When the concert ended

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 missed him very much.

She loved her life in 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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