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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. How is Mrs. Higgins portrayed?

2. Who says, "I havnt any small talk. If people would only be frank and say what they really think!"

3. What question does Liza have for Higgins after the party is over and they are back at Higgins's home?

4. What does Liza plan to do for money?

5. What does Liza say she doesn't want to be accused of?

Short Essay Questions

1. During the social visit with Mrs. Higgins and the Eynsford Hills, what does Liza say that is shocking?

2. What type of job does Liza propose to do in the final act? Why might she be better at this job than Higgins?

3. How does Liza finally come into her own as a woman at the end of Act 5?

4. What does Higgins conclude about the evening and about their joint project at the beginning of Act 4? What does he say that hurts Liza's feelings?

5. What does Liza ultimately think of the party and of her success at the end of Act 3?

6. What happens to Doolittle in Act 5? Explain how Higgins is responsible.

7. What does Liza say about marriage in Act 4? What does her statement reveal about her morals?

8. Why is Doolittle unhappy with his new status? What is ironic about this?

9. How do Freddy and Clara feel about Liza after meeting her, and why do they probably feel this way?

10. How does Higgins behave during the social visit? Explain. What does this "gentleman's" ungentlemanly behavior suggest about class differences?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the idea of "small talk" and social hypocrisy in Pygmalion.

Part 1) In Act 3, Higgins talks about how ridiculous small talk is: "You see, we're all savages, more or less. We're supposed to be civilized and cultured--to know all about poetry and philosophy and art and science, and so on; but how many of us know even the meanings of these names?" Shortly afterward, Liza shocks everyone by speaking of taboo topics and using a curse word in polite conversation. Clara is delighted by this slap in the face of "late Victorian prudery."

Part 2) What specifically does Liza say to shock everyone? Do you think Shaw agrees that her talk is shocking and rude?

Part 3) What might their polite, "civilized and cultured" conversation have been like if Liza had not come?

Part 4) What do you think is Shaw's opinion of polite small talk, and of "late Victorian prudery" that governs what is and is not appropriate in small talk?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the theme of nature versus nurture in the play Pygmalion.

Part 1) Henry Higgins transformsd Liza Doolittle. Does he really change her essential nature, or only the superficial aspects? Explain.

Part 2) Consider Pickering's statement, after the ambassador's party, that "Eliza was doing it so well. You see, lots of the real people cant do it at all: theyre such fools that they think style comes by nature to people in their position; and so they never learn." What does this say about Liza's natural sense of style?

Part 3) Consider how Liza was raised (reread Act 2 for her father's comments about how he raised her). Did Doolittle's nurture (or rather, lack of nurture) harm Liza? Is he to be blamed or credited for the way she is now?

Part 4) While Higgins changes Liza, is she able to do the same with him? Why, or why not?

Part 5) Consider this statement from Higgins: "I cant change my nature." Is this true? Can anyone really ever change his or her nature, or are all changes only superficial? Explain, using examples from the play.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the characters of Freddy and Higgins.

Part 1) How are Freddy and Higgins similar and different? Consider all of the following:

--their social class and wealth

--their personalities

--their skills and abilities

--their attitudes toward Liza

Part 2) Why is Higgins not a suitable husband for Liza, while Freddy is? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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