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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. To Shaw, what is the main advantage of Henry Sweet's "Current Shorthand"?
(a) It can express every sound in the language perfectly.
(b) Everyone is familiar with it, as it is widely taught in secretarial schools.
(c) It can be used on postcards, where there is limited space to write.
(d) It can be used as a kind of secret code or cryptogram.

2. What happens to the Flower Girl's basket?
(a) The police seize it, saying she has no license to sell flowers.
(b) It is knocked to the ground by Freddy.
(c) It is knocked to the ground by Higgins.
(d) Someone steals it.

3. To what does Higgins compare Liza?
(a) A flower in the mud.
(b) A squashed cabbage-leaf.
(c) The Queen of Sheba.
(d) A diamond in the rough.

4. What does Higgins say he can do for the Flower Girl (Liza)?
(a) He can make her rich.
(b) He can give her a proper education.
(c) He can make her a Duchess.
(d) He can teach her to speak properly.

5. What is a problem with the English language, according to Shaw?
(a) It is not spelled the way it should be pronounced.
(b) It is a vulgar language when compared to Latinate languages such as French.
(c) It doesn't have a beautiful sound when spoken.
(d) It is difficult for foreigners to learn well.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following does NOT describe the Flower Girl's appearance?

2. What happened to Liza's parents?

3. What does Higgins notice about Liza's father, Doolittle?

4. What bet does Higgins make with Pickering?

5. Why doesHenry Sweet not become more prominent?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Clara and her mother different?

2. What should all great art be, according to Shaw? Do you agree? What does Shaw hope his play will teach?

3. Describe Higgins's laboratory. What does it reveal about his character?

4. What does Higgins boast that he can do for the Flower Girl?

5. Describe Henry Sweet.

6. What does Liza likely mean when she says "I'm a good girl, I am"? Why does she say this?

7. How does Higgins feel about women?

8. Who is the Gentleman in the first act, and what do he and the note-taker have in common?

9. What would, in Shaw's opinion, be a prodigious advancement in the English language? Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

10. Who are Alexander Melville Bell, Alexander J. Ellis, Tito Pagliardini, and Henry Sweet, and why are they heroes to Shaw?

(see the answer keys)

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