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

Aunt Georgiana

Clark's mother

Clark's friend
2 Why was Aunt Georgiana coming to Boston?
She wanted to visit Clark.

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.
3 When was Aunt Georgiana due to arrive?
The day prior

In one year

The very next day

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

Excited

Overcome by memories

Sad
5 How did Aunt Georgiana travel from Nebraska to Boston?
Horse-drawn wagon

Boat

Plane

Day coach
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 decided to not return to Nebraska.

She fell asleep and missed her stop.
7 What did Aunt Georgiana do immediately upon arriving at Clark's boarding house?
Take a nap

Ask him about his life in Boston

Cry

Listen to music
8 What had been Aunt Georgiana's occupation before marriage?
A dressmaker

A conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra

A music teacher at the Boston Conservatory

A farmhand in Nebraska
9 Where did Aunt Georgiana first meet Howard Carpenter?
In a village in the Green Mountains, Vermont

In the audience of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

In Nebraska

At the Boston Conservatory
10 How does Clark describe the love between Aunt Georgiana and Uncle Howard?
Inexplicable

Inspiring

Regretful

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?
Thirty years

Five years

One year

A decade
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?
Disgusted and afraid

Friendly

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 adopted the religion of her husband.

She hated religion.

She was pious and martyr-like.

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 walk on the Boston Common

A fine meal at a restaurant

A tour of the Boston Conservatory
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

Concern over the estate she was in Boston to settle

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

He had wasted his money.

She would feel embarrassed or out of place.

She would hate the music.
20 Who was in the audience at the concert hall?
Mostly Conservatory students

Mostly women in beautiful dresses

Mostly families with young children

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 closed her eyes.

She began to cry.
22 What did Clark think about during the concert?
He remembered his childhood.

He was overcome with emotion himself.

He watched his aunt, trying to deduce her feelings.

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

Knotted them in her lap

Smoothed her hair

Played a phantom piano
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 missed him very much.

She did not wish to return to Nebraska.

She hated music now.

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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