The Great Gatsby Reading Quiz
Chapters 5-9
Chapter 5
1. Why does Nick think his house is on fire?
Because the light from Gatby’s enormous mansion is so consuming and powerful
(metaphor)
2. When Nick consents to aid Gatsby in his plan to see Daisy, Gatsby again utters some
surprising words. What does he say?
“I wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble”
3. What must Nick do to his property before Gatsby can invite Daisy there for tea?
Cut his grass
4. What little “sideline” does Gatsby offer Nick?
Some illegal business
5. When Nick tells Daisy not to bring Tom to tea, Daisy responds
Who is Tom?
6. What is the weather like the day of Gatsby and Daisy’s meeting?
It’s raining
7. What item des Gatsby knock off the mantle piece during his “counterfeit pose”?
Nervous, worried
8. Awkward and nervous in Daisy’s presence, Gatsby pronounces the meeting a …
“Terrible mistake?
9. Nick looks out as Gatsby’s mansion and notes that it was built during what certain
craze?
The period craze
10. How does the weather change when Gatsby and Daisy reconcile and become
contented with one another?
It stops raining.
11. Describe the dramatic transformation in Gatsby once he and Daisy resolve their past.
He glows like he is reborn
12. How does Gatsby respond when Nick asks him what business he is in? Why do you
think he responds this way?
“That’s my affair.” His guard was down
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13. What is different about Gatsby in this scene? What is he not doing?
Again, he reveals glimpses of his true self without his usual theatrics or the façade. He
reveals his genuine self.
14. What is different about Daisy in this scene? What is she not doing?
She’s lost her mockery and sophistication – becomes genuinely moved by emotion.
15. What does Daisy do when she sees the cascade of expensive English shirts cast
carelessly upon the bed?
She cries.
16. After Nick confesses to the cardinal sin of honest and his intolerance for shabby
conduct, what does he do this scent that could be interpreted as distinctly dishonest
and misguidedly tolerant?
He helps arrange an extramarital affair for Daisy.
17. Consider the detailed explanation of Gatsby’s home and possessions; what sort of
effect is Gatsby attempting to achieve?
A romantic old European feel – a historic look
18. What distinguishes Gatsby’s bedroom from the rest of the house?
It is spare and simple, startlingly unlike the rest of the house
19. Who is Dan Cody?
20. Gatsby’s best friend and benefactor
21. After Gatsby reunites with Daisy, what happens to his perception of the green light?
It changes in that it loses its romance and mysticism. Less enchanted.
22. At the end of Chapter 5, Nick describes Gatsby as bewildered with a sense of doubt
about him; what does Nick believe is the source of this new appearance?
Because the dream of Daisy could never match the real Daisy.
Chapter 6
23. What is Gatsby’s real name?
James Gatz
24. What state is Gatsby from?
North Dakota
25. How old was Gatsby when he changed his name and what was the occasion that
motivated him to do it?
He changed his name at 17 when he laid eyes on Day Cody’s yacht.
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26. What does Platonic mean?
Idealized
27. Why did Gatsby drop out of college?
He despised the janitor work that enabled him to pay for college.
28. What did Gatsby do for Dan Cody?
He was his personal assistant
29. When Nick visits Gatsby at his home, what surprising guest does he find there?
Tom
30. What is the general attitude of Tom and the Sloanes toward Gatsby?
Contempt and mockery for his new money.
31. How did Daisy feel about Gatsby’s party?
She found it vulgar and unpleasant.
32. The party in Chapter 6 particularly reveals the conflict between a few groups; name
one of them and the two competing foils.
West vs. East Eggers
New vs. Old money
Gaudy vs. Landed
33. Tom believes Gatsby acquired his money through what illegal activity?
Bootlegging.
34. When Nick tells Gatsby “You can’t repeat the past” Gatsby again responds with his
typical surprising comment, saying
“Why of course I can.”
Chapter 7
35. Nick makes an allusion to Trimalchio – who is that
A famous slave who made a name for himself through hard work and perseverance
36. Name two changes to Gatsby’s world since he has reignited his affair with Daisy
He fired all the servants to avoid gossip
He stopped all the parties
37. Describe the weather on the day Nick joins Jordan and Gatsby for lunch at the
Buchanan home.
It is oppressively hot.
38. What is Gatsby’s reaction to seeing Daisy’s baby Pammy?
He is shocked; he can hardly believe she is real.
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39. How does Gatsby describe Daisy’s voice?
As full of money?
40. What does Tom discover during the lunch?
That Daisy and Gatsby are attracted to each other?
41. Where does the group decide to go to escape the boredom of the day?
New York
42. What does George Wilson discover in this chapter?
His wife’s infidelity
43. During the ugly scene at the hotel, Nick remembers that this day is memorable for
what reason?
It’s his 30th birthday
44. When Tom and Gatsby confront one another, how does Daisy respond?
She becomes confused and starts moving away from Gatsby and towards Tom
45. Why does Tom allow Daisy to return from the hotel with Gatsby?
He knows he has nothing to fear from Gatsby?
46. Who is Michaelis?
A Greek immigrant who runs a restaurant in the Valley of Ashes. He stays with George
Wilson.
47. What tragic thing happens to Myrtle Wilson?
She is killed in a hit and run accident
48. Who was driving Gatsby’s car back from New York?
Daisy
49. What is the mutilation Myrtle receives as a result of her “accident”?
One of her breasts is ripped off.
50. What happens to Tom and Daisy’s relationship at the end of Chapter 7?
They are reconciled
51. What does Tom use to manipulate Daisy back to him?
Memories of their past
52. What happens to Gatsby’s dream of the future in this chapter?
It too dies
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Chapter 8
53. Why did Gatsby wait outside Daisy’s house until 4 a.m.?
He wanted to make sure Tom didn’t hurt her.
54. What promise do we learn Gatsby made Daisy before he left for the war?
That he would return and marry her.
55. As Gatsby relates the story of his early courtship with Daisy, Nick realizes that
Gatsby is drawn to one central element about her. What is that element?
Her aura of wealth and privilege.
56. How many times has Gatsby used his pool?
Never
57. As Nick Leaves Gatsby for the last time, he turns and tells him what he’s worth?
What is Gatsby worth according to Nick?
More than all of them put together. He says they are a rotten crowd.
58. What does Gatsby refuse to believe about Daisy’s feelings for Tom?
That she ever loved him
59. What does Gatsby tell the gardener NOT to do in this chapter?
Not to drain the pool.
60. How does Gatsby feel about his relationship with Daisy in this chapter?
He still holds out hope they will be together
61. In what location on his property does Gatsby die?
The pool
62. What is happening to the weather the last day Nick sees Gatsby?
It is changing to autumn
63. Who killed Gatsby and why?
George Wilson kills Gatsby because he thought Gatsby killed Myrtle.
64. Mourning his wife, George Wilson stares out the window at something; what is that
something?
The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg.
65. What does Nick say about symbols in this chapter?
That symbols are not inherently meaningful, people invest them with meaning (rose
quote)
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66. What happens to George Wilson in the end?
He shoots himself.
Chapter 9
67. Following his experience in New York, Nick waits how long before he starts to write
about them
Two years
68. In the first days after Gatsby’s death, who are the visitors to Gatsby’s mansion?
Police and photographers.
69. Why did Nick become responsible for Gatsby after his death?
There was no one else to do it; he didn’t want Gatsby to be alone.
70. What family member comes to Gatsby’s funeral?
His father
71. Who was the only party goes to attend Gatsby’s funeral?
Owl Eyes
72. What happens to Tom and Daisy at the end of the novel?
They move away without leaving an address
73. Why did Nick visit Meyer Wolfsheim on the day of Gatsby’s funeral?
He wanted to nsure he came to the funeral
74. How does Gatsby’s father feel about his amassed wealth?
He’s incredibly proud
75. What was the name of the book Gatsby’s father carried with him?
Hopalong Cassidy
76. What had Gatsby written inside the book?
His schedule
77. The schedule is an allusion to an iconic American document of self improvement;
what is that document?
Ben Franklin’s 13 Virtues
78. What major decision does Nick make about his life in this chapter?
To return to the Midwest
79. What happens between Nick and Jordan in this chapter? How does Nick feel about
it?
They break up; Nick is indifferent, he doesn’t care
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80. Nick realizes in this chapter that he, Tom, Gatsby, Daisy and Jordan have something
in common; what is that commonality?
They were all westerners
81. Who tells George Wilson that the “death car” belonged to Gatsby?
Tom
82. According to Nick, what keeps Tom and Daisy from facing the consequences of their
careless and reckless behavior?
Their money.
83. Nick meditates on the Midwest in this chapter; what is his attitude about where he
comes from?
He’s comforted by it; he remembers it with great warmth, even in the middle of winter
84. What is on Gatsby’s steps as Nick visits the mansion for the last time?
An obscene word (obscene era)
85. What does Nick reflect on as he lies on Gatsby’s green grass at the end of the novel?
He considers what the island must have looked like to the first explorers.
86. List at least three foils within the novel:
Old money vs. new money
Rich vs poor
East Egg v. West Egg
East vs. West
Reality vs. Fantasy
Past vs. Present
Daisy vs. Myrtle
Tom vs. Gatsby
Tom vs George
Nick vs. Nick
Long Island vs. New York
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