View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Algernon find decidedly unromantic?

2. What does Jack offer to present to Lady Bracknell in lieu of his parentage?

3. What does Jack plan to do in the near future?

4. Who is growing too attached to Ernest, in Jack's opinion?

5. What relation is not popular at the present time?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Algernon discreetly write down Jack's country address on his cuff?

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

3. What is Lady Bracknell's response to the story of Jack's adoption?

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

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

6. What does Gwendolen love so much about the name Ernest?

7. What is Jack Worthing's business in London?

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

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

10. Why do Algernon and Jack have such difficulty choosing a place to have dinner?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following three options to write about:

1.) To what extent has Cecily always been at the beck and call of authority figures fro Thomas Cardew to Miss Prism. Write three paragraphs about her subjugation to three separate masters and how her diary undermines this control.

2.) Do you think that Gwendolen is an inherently rebellious character or a generally subservient character that acts against her nature in the story? Cite examples from the text to defend your answer.

3.) What is Miss Prism's motivation in the play? What is she running from and why has she decided that she will not marry?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to write about:

1.) What do you think is Oscar Wilde's opinion of the English upper class? Do you consider his portraits of landed English gentry is loving or caustic? Cite examples from the text.

2.) Compare, in three paragraphs, three servant characters and three aristocrats in the play. Which are the more clever and worldly? How much do the upper class characters rely on the servants?

3.) Do you think there is greater personal freedom in being part of the servant class in the Victorian era or being in the Upper class. Cite examples from the text and historical background to justify your stance.

Essay Topic 3

In the Importance of Being Earnest, certain objects play more central roles in driving action than characters. Write an essay dealing with the following three objects - a paragraph each - and how they affect the outcome of the play:

Part 1.) Algernon's bills

Part 2.) Cecily's diary

Part 3.) The handbag

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 889 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample