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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. Why did Cecily and Ernest break off their first engagement?

2. What is Miss Prism's first name?

3. How does Cecily have letters from Ernest?

4. What does Miss Prism instruct Cecily to read while she is gone?

5. What minor character defames the German language at the beginning of the Act?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Cecily and Gwendolen learn the truth about Ernest?

2. What reason does Cecily give for not wanting to show Algernon her diary?

3. How does Algernon end up paying for Jack's debt in Act II?

4. How does Algernon get rid of Miss Prism when he wants say goodbye to Cecily?

5. What argument does Jack make to Algernon about eating in times of despair, and why at the end of Act II?

6. What is Cecily's response to Algernon's proposal to her?

7. How does Cecily get rid of Miss Prism at the the beginning of Act II?

8. What reason does Miss Prism give for not wanting Ernest to be saved from his vices?

9. What does Cecily do to anger Gwendolen as they take tea?

10. Why is Cecily always distracted from her lessons?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Is Chasuble a religious hypocrite or merely a bumbling blowhard? Make a case for one or the other in essay form, citing statement made and actions taken be Chasuble to corroborate your position.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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