Shamela MCQS

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Author: Nasir Iqbal | Assistant Professor of English Literature


Updated on: November 9, 2025
Estimated Reading Time: 16 min

Shamela MCQs

1. Where does Shamela request lodging near her mother?

A. The Fan and Pepper-Box
B. Coulstin’s-Court
C. Short’s-Gardens
D. Queen-Street

B. Coulstin’s-Court.
Shamela asks her mother to secure lodging for her in Coulstin’s Court or Wild Street near Drury Lane.

2. What is the name Shamela uses at her current lodging?

A. Henrietta
B. Maria
C. Honora
D. Pamela

D. Pamela.
The young Squire calls her Pamela, confirming that this is the pseudonym she is currently using.

3. Who interrupts the Squire’s initial attempts to kiss Shamela?

A. Her mother
B. Mrs. Jervis
C. Parson Williams
D. Robin Coachman

B. Mrs. Jervis.
Mrs Jervis came in unexpectedly, frustrating Shamela by almost spoiling the interaction with the Squire.

4. What past event does Shamela’s mother warn her against repeating?

A. Losing her temper
B. Slip with Williams
C. Reading bad books
D. Stealing from the mistress

B. Slip with Williams.
Henrietta advises Shamela to remember her past “Slip with Parson Williams” and avoid future folly.
5. Shamela argues that she reads good books and performs which religious duty?

A. Fasting often
B. Saying Prayers
C. Attending services
D. Giving money

B. Saying Prayers.
Shamela defends herself by noting that she reads good books and says her prayers regularly.

6. What does Shamela’s mother advise her to obtain before submitting to a man?

A. A gold ring
B. Well paid beforehand
C. A carriage
D. A new job

B. Well paid beforehand.
Henrietta warns Shamela not to trust promises, but rather to ensure she is “well paid beforehand”.

7. Which religious figure’s sermon did Henrietta enclose for Shamela?

A. Mr. Peters
B. Mr. Squeeze-Tithe
C. Mr. Whitefield
D. Mr. Booby

C. Mr. Whitefield.
Henrietta sent Shamela one of Mr Whitefield’s sermons, along with the book The Dealings with him.

8. What book was Shamela reading when the Master entered the room?

A. Rochester’s Poems
B. The Whole Duty of Man
C. The Dealings
D. The Atalantis

C. The Dealings.
Shamela was reading “that charming Book about the Dealings” when her master confronted her.

9. What part of Shamela’s clothing did the Squire attempt to touch on the chair?

A. Her apron
B. Her handkerchief
C. Her Under-Petticoat
D. Her cap

C. Her Under-Petticoat.
During the scuffle, the Squire tried to touch Shamela’s Under-Petticoat before she stopped him.
10. What action does Mrs Jervis propose to provoke the Squire’s desire for Shamela?

A. They should run away
B. She shall see her in bed
C. She should cry constantly
D. She should dress plainly

B. She shall see her in bed.
Mrs Jervis’s plan involves having the Squire see Shamela naked in bed while they fake sleep.

11. What permanent guarantee does Shamela require from the Squire?

A. A settled Settlement
B. Weekly wages
C. Immediate payment
D. A written promise

A. A settled Settlement.
Shamela states she will accept nothing less than “a settled Settlement” for her and her heirs.

12. What action does Shamela perform in bed after the Squire starts touching her bosom?

A. Kicks him hard
B. Feigns a headache
C. Scratches him liberally
D. Calls for help

C. Scratches him liberally.
Shamela pretends to awake and then begins to “bescratch very liberally” without regard to the parts attacked.

13. What physical state does Shamela counterfeit to make the Squire stop his advances?

A. Violent rage
B. Sudden illness
C. A scream
D. A swoon

D. A swoon.
After the physical struggle, Shamela completes her act by counterfeiting a deep swoon.

14. How long does Mrs Jervis apply remedies while Shamela feigns unconsciousness?

A. Fifteen minutes
B. A full half Hour
C. Two hours
D. All night

B. A full half Hour.
Mrs Jervis applied lavender water and hartshorn for “a full half Hour” until Shamela recovered.
15. What is the Master’s reaction when Shamela uses the curse word “D—n you”?

A. He apologises
B. He cries
C. He damns her back
D. He laughs

C. He damns her back.
When Shamela curses him, the Squire curses her back, saying, “d—n you says he, if you come to that”.

16. What does Mrs Jervis criticise about the Squire’s sexual pursuit?

A. His roughness
B. His poor manners
C. His lack of courage
D. His passions are so cool

D. His passions are so cool.
Mrs Jervis expresses concern that Shamela may have discouraged him because his passions were “so cool”.

17. What epithet does the Master use for Shamela when ordering Mrs Jervis to leave with her?

A. The cheat
B. The little Gìpsy
C. The bold wife
D. The good maid

B. The little Gìpsy.
The Master is resolved that Mrs Jervis and “the little Gìpsy” (Shamela) should set out together.

18. What does Shamela decide is the best way to win the Master back?

A. Write a letter
B. A clever Fetch
C. Plead honestly
D. Ask Williams’s help

B. A clever Fetch.
Shamela tells Mrs Jervis she has a “Fetch for him,” which involves the farmer’s daughter’s disguise.

19. What kind of attire did Shamela wear as part of her stratagem?

A. Old mistress’s clothes
B. Plain Neatness of a Farmer’s Daughter
C. A servant’s uniform
D. Expensive silk

B. Plain Neatness of a Farmer’s Daughter.
The stratagem involved Shamela dressing “in the plain Neatness of a Farmer’s Daughter” to deceive the Squire.
20. When the Master sees Shamela in disguise, how does he compare her to Pamela?

A. Pamela was nicer
B. Pamela was an ugly Slut
C. Pamela was excellent
D. Pamela was modest

B. Pamela was an ugly Slut.
The Master immediately swears that Pamela (her usual persona) was “an ugly Slut” compared to the new girl.

21. Who is Nanny Jewkes?

A. Squire’s mother
B. Mrs Jervis’s sister
C. Lincolnshire Housekeeper
D. Shamela’s cousin

C. Lincolnshire Housekeeper.
Nanny Jewkes is the housekeeper in Lincolnshire, mentioned as an old friend.

22. Who informed Shamela and Mrs Jervis about the Lincolnshire plot?

A. The Master himself
B. Nanny Jewkes
C. Robin Coachman
D. Parson Williams

C. Robin Coachman.
Robin Coachman, entrusted with the plan, communicated the news about the journey to the two women.

23. Where did Shamela have her “small one” (child) by Parson Williams?

A. Bedfordshire
B. London
C. Lincolnshire
D. Drury-Lane

C. Lincolnshire.
Shamela had her child by Parson Williams about a year ago at the Master’s house in Lincolnshire.

24. Mrs Jervis was spraining her right hand while boxing what group?

A. The servants
B. Newly made Officers
C. Local farmers
D. The Clergy

B. Newly made Officers.
Henrietta sprained her hand “with boxing three newly made Officers,” whom she confirms she beat.
25. Parson Williams learned of Shamela’s return to the county via his?

A. Father
B. Clerk
C. Neighbour
D. Friend

B. Clerk.
Williams states he learned of Shamela’s return by means of his Clerk, who visited Mr Peters.

26. Why was Parson Williams unable to visit Shamela as planned?

A. Too much ale
B. Illness
C. Staying at the Clergyman’s
D. Waiting for tobacco

C. Staying at the Clergyman’s.
Williams was obliged to sojourn at a neighbouring clergyman’s house to pierce a barrel of ale.

27. How does Williams generally view his Master’s family?

A. Very pious
B. Worthless Family
C. Generous patrons
D. Highly educated

B. Worthless Family.
Williams claims they are “in Verity, as worthless a Family as any other whatever”.

28. Why is Parson Williams writing a civil letter to the Squire?

A. Needs money
B. A Living is available
C. Wants an apology
D. Seeks reconciliation

B. A Living is available.
Williams is attempting to be in the Squire’s favour because the Reverend Mr Squeeze-Tithe is dying.

29. Williams considers the omission of the marriage service a sin, but what kind?

A. Deadly sin
B. Venial One
C. High Treason
D. Unforgivable sin

B. Venial One.
Williams told Shamela that omitting the service was a sin, but only a “venial one”.
30. According to Williams’s sermon, what idea is considered true religion?

A. Doing good works
B. Honouring the Clergy
C. Loving thy neighbour
D. Valuing Morality

B. Honouring the Clergy.
Williams preached that going to church, praying, and honouring the clergy constitute true religion.

31. How does Mrs Jewkes behave towards Shamela after receiving new orders from the Master?

A. Rudely
B. Civil to her
C. Suspiciously
D. Jealousy

B. Civil to her.
Mrs Jewkes informs Shamela that she has received orders from the Master to be civil to her.

32. How much does Parson Williams owe the Squire?

A. 250l.
B. 100l.
C. 150l.
D. 50l.

C. 150l.
Williams is indebted to the Squire for £150 but plans to plead the Statute of Lamentations later.

33. What reason did Williams give Shamela for leaving the garden?

A. Needs repentance
B. Meeting other Clergy
C. Fear of the Squire
D. Must smoke

B. Meeting other Clergy.
He had to leave to meet neighbouring clergy to finish the barrel of ale they had tapped previously.

34. What item did Shamela throw into the canal to simulate suicide?

A. Her shift
B. A prayer book
C. One of her Petticoats
D. Her cap

C. One of her Petticoats.
Shamela stripped off one of her petticoats and threw it into the canal as part of her drowning excuse.
35. Who discovers Shamela hiding in the coal-hole?

A. Mrs. Jewkes
B. The Squire
C. Moll Cook
D. Robin Coachman

C. Moll Cook.
Moll Cook, searching for coals, eventually discovered Shamela lying in the coal-hole.

36. What did Shamela pull down to enhance her appearance before meeting the Master?

A. Her hood
B. Her handkerchief
C. Her stays
D. Her cap

C. Her stays.
She pulled down her stays “to shew as much as I could of my Bosom,” as advised by Williams.

37. What type of liquor did the Master make Shamela drink at dinner?

A. French Wine
B. Strong Ale
C. Bumper of Champagne
D. Brandy

C. Bumper of Champagne.
The Master put a “Bumper of Champagne” into her hand and bid her drink a health.

38. What food did Shamela and Mrs Jewkes enjoy for supper that night?

A. Mutton pie
B. Roast chicken
C. Hot buttered Apple-Pie
D. Cold beef

C. Hot buttered Apple-Pie.
Mrs Jewkes and Shamela “supped together upon a hot buttered Apple-Pie” before going to bed.

39. How did Shamela finally bring the Master “to Terms” and make him leave the bed?

A. She cried profusely
B. She threatened to expose him
C. She followed her mother’s instructions
D. She recited a Psalm

C. She followed her mother’s instructions.
Shamela remembered and followed her mother’s instructions to avoid being ravished, which made him yield.
40. What yearly income did the Squire propose settling on Shamela?

A. 150l.
B. 500l.
C. 250l.
D. 100l.

C. 250l.
The paper the Master gave her proposed settling £250 a year on Shamela, along with other offers.

41. Shamela ultimately resolves to make a great fortune through which attribute?

A. Her kindness
B. Her looks
C. Her Vartue
D. Her knowledge

C. Her Vartue.
Shamela concludes she will now aim to make a “great one by my Vartue” instead of a small one by her person.

42. How does the Squire first react when Shamela assures him she has no rival (especially Williams)?

A. He proposes marriage
B. He laughs
C. He gives her money
D. He asks her to walk

A. He proposes marriage.
The Squire says he is in earnest about disregarding censure and fortune to marry her.

43. After being told to leave, Shamela resolves not to submit or ask pardon because she never could since what time?

A. Her teenage years
B. Her childhood
C. Meeting Williams
D. The death of her mistress

B. Her childhood.
Shamela recalls that her mother had never been able to make her submit or ask pardon since her childhood.

44. Which volume of a scandalous novel was found among Shamela’s books?

A. The Fifth Volume
B. The Third Volume of the Atalantis
C. The First Volume
D. The Whole Duty of Man

B. The Third Volume of the Atalantis.
Her small collection of books included the third volume of The Atalantis.
45. Why was Parson Williams unable to preach Mr John Gage’s funeral sermon?

A. He was busy
B. He was arrested
C. He was sick
D. He was travelling

B. He was arrested.
Williams was met by Sheriffs’ Officers and arrested for the £150 debt he owed the Squire.

46. What classical quotation does Williams include in his letter to the Squire?

A. Carpe diem
B. Nil conscire sibi
C. Veni, vidi, vici
D. Et cetera

B. Nil conscire sibi.
Williams quotes, “Nil conscire sibi nullæ pallescere culpæ,” implying he is conscious of no fault.

47. How did Shamela describe the most difficult part of acting the bride on her wedding night?

A. Remaining silent
B. Eating heartily
C. Finding a pen
D. Was to blush

D. Was to blush.
Shamela found that forcing herself to blush was the most difficult task, managed by holding her breath.

48. How much money did the Squire give Shamela the morning after their wedding?

A. 50 Guineas
B. 250 Guineas
C. 100 Guineas
D. 20 Guineas

C. 100 Guineas.
After breakfast and a walk, the newly married husband made her a present of 100 Guineas.

49. Why did the Master get angry at Williams while they were riding in the coach?

A. Williams was rude
B. Williams was driving
C. Williams destroyed his Game
D. Williams was smoking

C. Williams destroyed his Game.
The Master was angry because Williams was pursuing hares and destroying the game around the coppice.
50. Williams advised Shamela that her spiritual husband (himself) was superior to her marital one because he was antecedent in what?

A. Riches
B. Time
C. Learning
D. Status

B. Time.
Williams explains that since the spirit is preferable to the flesh, he is preferable to her husband because he is antecedent “in Time likewise”.

Brief Overview

Shamela, or An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews, is a satirical burlesque novella by Henry Fielding, published in 1741. It functions as a direct and witty parody of Samuel Richardson’s hugely popular novel, Pamela.

The novella is about Shamela Andrews, a young, highly calculating maid who wants to become wealthy. She works for the young Squire, Mr. Booby. Shamela uses a false show of her supposed innocence, or “Virtue,” to trick the Squire into marrying her for his money and status.

Her mother, Henrietta, advises Shamela to secure a good payment first. Shamela often pretends to be angry or shy when the Squire approaches her. Shamela and her helper, Mrs. Jervis, set up dramatic scenes to fool the Squire. When he attempts intimacy, Shamela screams or pretends to faint.

In her private letters, Shamela calls the Squire a “precious Fool” for being so easily tricked. She demands immediate marriage and a settled estate.

Shamela’s true love is Parson Williams, with whom she previously had a child. The Parson is also seeking money and help from the Squire. The Squire becomes desperate and proposes marriage. Shamela marries him and immediately becomes openly demanding and rude.

She continues her affair with Parson Williams, even riding with him next to her husband. After marrying Mr. Booby, Shamela plans to hide her mother because she does not want a “lady of my Quality” to be known as the daughter of an ordinary woman.

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