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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What aspect of humanity is Jack sick of?

2. What does Algernon find decidedly unromantic?

3. Where is Jack going to "kill" Ernest?

4. Why do servants steal more champagne in the houses of bachelors?

5. Who is Cecily's governess?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jack intend to "kill" Ernest?

2. Why doe Jack go by the name of Ernest in London?

3. What is Algernon's stated opinion of love and marriage in Act I?

4. What is Lady Bracknell's opinion of Bunbury?

5. Why are there no cucumber sandwiches at the Algernon's when Lady Bracknell arrives?

6. What, according to Jack and Algernon, is the difference between mothers and fathers in modern society?

7. How does Jack Worthing's cigarette case betray his identity to Algernon?

8. What orders does Algernon give Lane at the end of the First Act?

9. How is it that Jack does not know who his parents are?

10. Name a few of Lady Bracknell's requirements for a suitable bachelor.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several of the characters in The Importance of Being Ernest rely upon fiction to live their lives as they would like:

Part 1.) Describe Algernon's relationship with Bunbury. How does he use his "friend" to avoid unpleasant situations?

Part 2.) Compare Jack's relationship with Ernest to Algernon's with Bunbury? How are his motivations for having a fake associate different? Are his methods more complex?

Part 3.) Compare both Jack and Algernon's fictional associates with Cecily's fantasy life from her diary. How are her motivations and methods different from the men's?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following topics to write about:

1.) What aspects of a person are important to a courtship according to Cecily? How do these differ from those of Lady Bracknell?

2.) What is Algernon's stated stance on romance and marriage in Act I? Why do you think he decides to propose to Cecily in spite of this position? Cite statements made by Algernon later to justify your argument.

3.) Gwendolen's statement about always wanting to marry a man named Ernest is absurd, but her reasons for liking the name are indicative of a desire everyone has when getting married. What are her reasons for liking the name and how do they indicate a universal desire of humankind?

Essay Topic 3

Write about Lady Bracknell as the driving force in the play. Cite three examples of moments where she is the sole arbiter of the another character's fate. How is the climax a result of her machinations?

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