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. In what play did Dorian see Sibyl that led to his proposal?

2. What is the topic of Dorian’s conversation at the beginning of Chapter Four?

3. What is the relationship between James and Sibyl?

4. What material is the cover that hides Dorian’s portrait in Chapter Ten?

5. What does Dorian ask his housekeeper for in Chapter Ten?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Dorian in the slums in Chapter Four?

2. Explain the reactions of Sibyl, Mrs. Vane, and James to Sibyl’s engagement.

3. Why does Basil say he originally did not want Dorian to see the painting?

4. How does Dorian deal with his emotion about Sibyl’s death at the end of Chapter Ten?

5. Why does Dorian see a faint sneer on his portrait at the end of Chapter Seven?

6. How does Sibyl avoid discussing Dorian with James while they walk together?

7. What is the Preface about?

8. Why does Dorian hide the painting in Chapter Ten?

9. Why is Dorian heartbroken at the beginning of Chapter Seven?

10. What does Lord Henry muse over at the end of Chapter Four?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define foil. Identify a pair of foils from The Picture of Dorian Gray and explain how they are foils to each other.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the story, Dorian is caught between two worlds. Explain these two worlds and how Dorian is caught between them. What effect does this have on him? How does he deal with this situation? Is it resolved? How?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of the arts in The Picture of Dorian Gray. How do the arts affect the various characters in the story? How do the arts help progress the plot forward? Why does Wilde choose to include the arts in this way?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 558 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample