A Laodicean MCQs

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Author: Nasir Iqbal | Assistant Professor of English Literature


Updated on: November 13, 2025
Estimated Reading Time: 16 min

A Laodicean MCQs

1. What is George Somerset’s profession?

A. Architect
B. Poet
C. Painter
D. Historian

A. Architect.
He is a young draughtsman, son of an Academician, starting his own architectural practice.

2. What is George Somerset’s “modern malady”?

A. Lack of motivation
B. Unlimited appreciativeness
C. Financial distress
D. Writing bad poetry

B. Unlimited appreciativeness.
His wide appreciation of many styles prevented him from committing to one and advancing his career.

3. What structure does Somerset describe as a “monstrosity”?

A. The old church
B. The new chapel
C. Stancy Castle
D. Myrtle Villa

B. The new chapel.
Entering the village, he finds the modern Nonconformist chapel ugly and artistically offensive.

4. Why did the young men carry water into the chapel?

A. To fill the font
B. For drinking
C. To extinguish a fire
D. For washing

A. To fill the font.
They were carrying water because the cistern leaked, preparing for a full immersion baptism.
5. What event did the crowd at the chapel await?

A. A sermon
B. A baptism
C. A wedding
D. A concert

B. A baptism.
The large congregation, dressed plainly, showed expectation for a grown-up immersion ceremony.

6. What was the key reason the young lady refused the baptism?

A. The water was dark
B. She was too shy
C. She was mistaken
D. The minister insulted her

C. She was mistaken.
She realized she was not fit for the public profession she undertook out of duty to her father.

7. Which biblical entity did the minister compare the reluctant lady to?

A. Mary
B. Martha
C. Laodicea
D. Jezebel

C. Laodicea.
The minister’s text spoke of the church at Laodicea, which was “neither cold nor hot.”

8. What item was taken into the carriage after the lady departed the chapel?

A. A dog
B. A white Persian
C. A painting
D. A hat

B. A white Persian.
After the lady’s exit, a white Persian cat suddenly mewed and was taken into her carriage.

9. What guided Somerset across the down toward the castle?

A. A map
B. A telegraph wire
C. A stream
D. A shepherd

B. A telegraph wire.
Somerset decided to follow the overhead wire, which hummed and sang, to find his way at night.
10. Stancy Castle is described as having what dual nature?

A. Half monastery, half fort
B. Half ruin, half residence
C. Half church, half school
D. Half farm, half manor

B. Half ruin, half residence.
The castle was dilapidated, muffled in creepers, but a modern wing showed that it was inhabited.

11. What symbolizes “cosmopolitan views” near the feudal castle?

A. The old mosses
B. The modern clock
C. The electric wire
D. The battlemented parapet

C. The electric wire.
The little buzzing wire represented the exchange of ideas and the intellectual kinship of all mànkind.

12. What feature marked all the pure De Stancy family portraits?

A. An indent on the nose
B. A mole on the cheek
C. Very blue eyes
D. Long flowing hair

A. An indent on the nose.
Every portrait, even if lacking other commonalities, had a specific indentation on the upper part of the nose.

13. What kind of architectural style did Miss Power first wish for the inner court?

A. Saxon
B. Perpendicular
C. Greek
D. Palladian

C. Greek.
Charlotte revealed that Paula had thought of making the inner court a Greek colonnade or peristyle.

14. What was Miss Power’s vision for the pottery manufacture?

A. Utilitarian vessels
B. Hellenic pottery
C. Plain white china
D. Blue glazed plates

B. Hellenic pottery.
Paula planned to develop the manufacture of Greek (Hellenic) pottery using the local clay found by her father.
15. What items lay in Paula Power’s blue and white sleeping-room?

A. Bible and Baptist Magazine
B. Architectural plans
C. Hunting rifles
D. Modern sculpture

A. Bible and Baptist Magazine.
Her dressing room contained a mix of items, including a Bible and the Baptist Magazine alongside society journals.

16. What financial reason did the landlord suggest for the number of Baptists?

A. To save on taxes
B. To reduce rent
C. To gain allowances
D. To save burial costs

D. To save burial costs.
The landlord suggested that they did it to save the expense of a Christian burial for their unchristened children.

17. Who owned Stancy Castle at the time George Somerset visited?

A. Sir William De Stancy
B. Mr. Wilkins
C. John Power
D. Miss Paula Power

D. Miss Paula Power.
The castle was sold by Sir William’s father, bought by Wilkins, and was now owned by Paula Power.

18. What was Paula Power’s father known for building?

A. Railways
B. Ships
C. Churches
D. Castles

A. Railways.
Miss De Stancy pointed toward a white streak of steam, explaining that Paula’s father “made that.”

19. Who revealed the story of the failed baptism to George Somerset?

A. Mrs. Goodman
B. The minister
C. Miss De Stancy
D. William Dare

C. Miss De Stancy.
Charlotte told Somerset that Paula refused the rite because the water “looked so cold and dark and fearful.”
20. Who was revealed to be Miss De Stancy’s deceased cousin?

A. John Ravensbury
B. Mr. Wilkins
C. George Somerset
D. Mr. Woodwell

A. John Ravensbury.
John Ravensbury, known as “that unlucky boy,” was Charlotte’s cousin and a friend of Somerset’s.

21. What did Somerset successfully argue in the theological debate?

A. Paedobaptism
B. Apostolic succession
C. Universal salvation
D. Free will

A. Paedobaptism.
Drawing on his prior studies of baptismal history, Somerset used patristic citations to defend infant baptism.

22. What did Paula initially mistake Somerset for, leading to her friendly manner?

A. The new curate
B. A journalist
C. A photographer
D. A solicitor

A. The new curate.
Somerset realized she thought he was the newly arrived curate of the local church due to his theological knowledge.

23. Why did Somerset follow the minister (Woodwell) after the debate?

A. To apologize
B. To challenge him
C. To retrieve his bag
D. To retrieve the book

D. To retrieve the book.
Woodwell, in his haste and distress, had forgotten his worn Bible, so Somerset impulsively went after him.

24. Who was Dare’s eventual accomplice in the rivalry against Somerset?

A. Charlotte De Stancy
B. Mrs. Goodman
C. Mr. Havill
D. Abner Power

C. Mr. Havill.
Dare met Havill at the garden party and proposed an alliance to help the architect win the competition.
25. What did Dare and Havill conspire to obtain?

A. Architectural ideas
B. Paula’s jewels
C. A new commission
D. The chapel key

A. Architectural ideas.
Dare suggested that Havill copy Somerset’s unique design to ensure winning the castle competition.

26. How did Dare gain access to Somerset’s studio to view the plans?

A. He picked the lock
B. He bribed the butler
C. He took the key
D. He used a skeleton key

C. He took the key.
Dare went to the butler’s pantry, took a key from behind the door, and unlocked the studio.

27. What was Dare’s alleged new profession, which he pursued with vigor?

A. Photographer
B. Professor of Chances
C. Architect
D. Lawyer

B. Professor of Chances.
Dare carried “Moivre’s Doctrine of Chances” and believed he could win money through calculation.

28. What was Captain De Stancy’s primary motive for avoiding attractive women?

A. A religious vow
B. A military order
C. A previous vow
D. Financial difficulty

C. A previous vow.
He vowed to his former mistress (Dare’s mother) that no other woman would become his wife.

29. What was Captain De Stancy’s relationship to Dare?

A. He was Dare’s uncle
B. He was Dare’s father
C. He was Dare’s cousin
D. He was Dare’s employer

B. He was Dare’s father.
Dare referred to De Stancy as “dad” and “captain,” acknowledging their secret filial bond.
30. What was the key condition Dare placed on Captain De Stancy regarding Paula?

A. He must marry her quickly
B. He must avoid her
C. He must see her quickly
D. He must change his name

C. He must see her quickly.
Dare wanted De Stancy to see Paula “in the most love-kindling, passion-begetting circumstances” immediately.

31. Where did Dare suggest Captain De Stancy could best view Paula?

A. In the chapel
B. In the library
C. In the gymnasium
D. In the dining hall

C. In the gymnasium.
Dare learnt from the maid that Paula looked her best when exercising in the private gymnasium.

32. What object was Captain De Stancy instructed to look through to spy on Paula?

A. A keyhole
B. A wood billet hole
C. A window
D. A broken panel

B. A wood billet hole.
Dare led De Stancy to the back of the gym, where he withdrew a wooden billet from the wall.

33. How did Captain De Stancy react to seeing Paula in the gymnasium?

A. He felt ashamed
B. He felt committed
C. He felt rage
D. He felt cured

B. He felt committed.
The sight gave him the overwhelming impulse to commit himself, removing the question of retreat.

34. What item was Sir William De Stancy examining when Somerset visited?

A. Crocuses
B. Daffodils
C. Roses
D. Weeds

A. Crocuses.
Somerset found Sir William ambulating in the garden, looking closely at the crocuses that bordered the path.
35. Why did Paula send for a magnificent diamond and pearl necklace?

A. For her own vanity
B. To sell the jewels
C. For Charlotte to wear
D. As a costume piece

C. For Charlotte to wear.
Somerset realized Paula fetched the necklace so Charlotte could “not appear to disadvantage” among county people.

36. What play did the officers of the Royal Horse Artillery decide to perform?

A. Romeo and Juliet
B. Love’s Labour’s Lost
C. Macbeth
D. Hamlet

B. Love’s Labour’s Lost.
Mrs. Camperton told Somerset that the officers were staging Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, Love’s Labour’s Lost.

37. Why did Captain De Stancy take over the role of the King of Navarre?

A. Mild was too nervous
B. He was the best actor
C. Mild broke down
D. Paula requested it

C. Mild broke down.
The original actor, Lieutenant Mild, failed, allowing De Stancy to step in for the King’s part.

38. What specific lines did De Stancy interpolate into the play?

A. Lines from Othello
B. Lines from Romeo and Juliet
C. Lines from Hamlet
D. Lines he wrote himself

B. Lines from Romeo and Juliet.
De Stancy inserted warm lines, including an implied kiss, from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

39. Who was the mysterious stranger who applauded the stage kiss?

A. Abner Power
B. Mr. Woodwell
C. George Somerset
D. The stranger

D. The stranger.
A peculiar, thin-lipped man in the commonalty seats paid the landlord to applaud the kiss.
40. Who was the unexpected relative of Paula’s that appeared after the play?

A. Her cousin
B. Her grandfather
C. Her uncle
D. Her sister

C. Her uncle.
Paula introduced the stranger, who had been conversing with De Stancy, as her uncle, Mr. Abner Power.

41. How did Somerset learn of the false paragraph about Paula’s engagement?

A. From Charlotte
B. From the newspaper
C. From Dare
D. From Havill

B. From the newspaper.
Somerset saw the startling paragraph in a local paper while waiting for his carriage at the inn.

42. Who did Somerset eventually learn was the source of the false engagement report?

A. Captain De Stancy
B. Abner Power
C. Mr. Havill
D. William Dare

B. Abner Power.
The reporter informed Somerset that the gentleman who gave the false information was Paula’s uncle.

43. Why did Paula insist on writing her business letters on separate sheets?

A. To hide emotion
B. To avoid confusion
C. To save postage
D. To appease her uncle

D. To appease her uncle.
Somerset suspected the rule was designed to avoid “invidious remarks” from Abner Power.

44. What news prompted Somerset to abandon his stoicism and visit Nice?

A. Paula was ill
B. The building collapsed
C. De Stancy was visiting
D. He ran out of funds

C. De Stancy was visiting.
Sir William revealed that the captain was spending his leave seeing his sister (and Paula) at Nice.
45. What was the content of the fraudulent telegram sent to Paula?

A. Request for architectural plans
B. Request for a loan
C. Request for a telegram
D. Request to postpone

B. Request for a loan.
Dare, using Somerset’s name, asked Paula to send him £100 because he had lost money gambling.

46. What critical information did Dare fail to reveal when Somerset asked him for money?

A. That Paula was leaving
B. That he was De Stancy’s son
C. That he had seen Paula
D. That he was starving

C. That he had seen Paula.
Dare only confirmed that he had seen the Powers and knew where they were going later in the conversation.

47. Why did Dare confess to De Stancy about sending the telegram?

A. De Stancy was suspicious
B. Dare felt remorse
C. Paula was coming
D. Somerset was returning

A. De Stancy was suspicious.
Under pressure from De Stancy, who feared disgrace, Dare admitted to concocting the message as a joke.

48. What was Abner Power’s ultimate, effective threat to Dare?

A. Imprisonment
B. Exposure to Paula
C. Exiling him
D. Denying him money

A. Imprisonment.
Power threatened to inform the police about Dare’s criminal past (telegram, libel) unless he exiled himself.

49. What did Charlotte discover about the photograph of Somerset?

A. It was faked
B. It was misdated
C. It was genuine
D. It was accidental

A. It was faked.
A Markton photographer explained to Charlotte that such pictures were “libellous” photographic hoaxes.
50. What caused the sudden conflagration that destroyed the Long Gallery?

A. A servant’s mistake
B. A thunderstorm
C. Arson
D. An accident

C. Arson.
The gallery fire was not accidental; Dare suggested it would be a “light night” and then left.

Brief Overview

A Laodicean is a novel by Thomas Hardy. It was first published as a serial from December 1880 to November 1881. The novel centers on the clash between tradition and progress and the protagonist’s own indecision, which is the meaning of “Laodicean.”

The story begins with George Somerset, a young architect who travels to an English village. He meets Paula Power, the wealthy owner of Stancy Castle, a large, ruined house. Somerset becomes Paula’s architect for the restoration, and he quickly falls in love with her.

Paula, who represents the modern spirit, is also drawn to the old aristocratic family, the De Stancys. Captain De Stancy, whose family formerly owned the castle, seeks to marry Paula and regain his ancestral home. His dishonest helper, William Dare, is secretly his son.

Dare works to ruin Somerset’s reputation. He steals Somerset’s architectural plans and sends a false telegram asking Paula for money in the architect’s name. These deceptive actions mislead Paula and becomes engaged to De Stancy.

Charlotte De Stancy, the Captain’s sister, discovers Dare’s plot and reveals the truth to Paula. When Paula learns that Dare is De Stancy’s criminal son, she immediately breaks the engagement.

Paula travels to France to apologize to Somerset. They reconcile and marry quickly. After their return, Stancy Castle tragically burns down, allowing them the freedom to build a new home in a modern, eclectic style.

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