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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What happened as a consequence of Oscar Wilde's move to Naples?
(a) He was disinherited by his mother.
(b) He was imprisoned for homosexuality.
(c) He was restored to health and fame.
(d) He wrote his last great work.

2. What did Oscar Wilde write about his personal experience in prison?
(a) Nothing.
(b) "The Ballad of Reading Gaol."
(c) He describes his longing for his wife.
(d) Long, detailed letters to his lover.

3. What brought about Oscar Wilde's first trial?
(a) Wilde had sued his lover's father for libel.
(b) Wilde was sued for his writing's obscenity.
(c) Wilde was caught performing a homosexual sex act.
(d) Wilde was sued for sodomy.

4. Why was Oscar Wilde arrested?
(a) He had admitted to homosexuality, which was a crime.
(b) He had slandered the Marquis of Queensberry.
(c) He had published obscene books.
(d) He had committed adultery.

5. How did Oscar Wilde protect himself from the cruelty of those around him?
(a) Violent public attacks.
(b) He satirized them in his work.
(c) He took solace in his faith.
(d) Wit and irony.

6. How did Oscar Wilde alienate people?
(a) By insulting his friends.
(b) By asking for financial support.
(c) By congratulating himself in public.
(d) By his vulgar language.

7. Who is the central character in Oscar Wilde's play "Salome"?
(a) Salome.
(b) Herod.
(c) Christ.
(d) John the Baptist.

8. Where did Oscar Wilde go for homosexual sex?
(a) The parks in London.
(b) The quays.
(c) Hotels.
(d) His home.

9. Who is Colonel Isaacson?
(a) A friend of Oscar Wilde's in London.
(b) Oscar Wilde's barrister.
(c) A strict disciplinarian at Reading jail.
(d) Oscar Wilde's lover.

10. Who brings Oscar Wilde out of his artistic doldrums after he is released from Reading jail?
(a) His mother.
(b) The Marquis of Queensberry.
(c) Major Nelson.
(d) Douglas.

11. How did Oscar Wilde's first trial turn out?
(a) The trial allowed Wilde's lover's father to turn the tables and expose Wilde's homosexuality.
(b) The trial bankrupted Wilde, but it made him famous.
(c) The trial caused Wilde to be expelled from the country.
(d) The trial resulted in a victory for Wilde and vindication of his personality.

12. Where does Oscar Wilde go after his first trial?
(a) He traveled to America to lecture.
(b) He was arrested and taken to prison.
(c) He returned to Ireland.
(d) He fled from London to Paris.

13. What was the cause of Oscar Wilde's death?
(a) Old age.
(b) A fight over his honor.
(c) Infections from syphilis.
(d) Heart troubles from hard labor in prison.

14. Where did Oscar Wilde take a rest cure?
(a) Aix.
(b) Berlin.
(c) Bad Homburg.
(d) Chamonix.

15. How did prison affect Oscar Wilde's view of human nature?
(a) He saw people's limitations as prison-like.
(b) He lost his compassion for human suffering.
(c) He learned that violence is more powerful than wit.
(d) He learned to appreciate acts of cruelty.

Short Answer Questions

1. How was Oscar Wilde released from prison for the first time?

2. What is the title Oscar Wilde gave to "The Duchess of Padua" when he produced it anonymously?

3. What did the public think of "Lady Windermere's Fan"?

4. What caused Oscar Wilde to stop writing?

5. How was "A Woman of No Importance" received?

(see the answer keys)

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