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. What does Lady Chiltern tell Goring he'd find interesting about her meeting in Act 1, Part 2?

2. What does Mrs. Cheveley want Sir Robert to say about the Argentine Canal project?

3. In Act 1, Part 2, who says, "I like tedious, practical subjects. What I don't like are tedious, practical people"?

4. What does Sir Robert tell Mrs. Cheveley he thinks of the Argentine Canal Company when she first brings it up?

5. According to Mabel, what is London society comprised of?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has Sir Robert eased his conscience over the years since selling the cabinet secret?

2. What does Goring want from Sir Robert in return for his getting the letter to Baron Arnheim back?

3. What does Goring tell Lady Chiltern will happen if she allows Sir Robert to sacrifice his career?

4. What strange request does Goring make of Mabel regarding the brooch Mabel finds?

5. According to Sir Robert, why is the Suez Canal different from the Argentine Canal?

6. In Act 1, Part 3, what is the one thing that Lady Chiltern implies would cause her to leave her husband?

7. What characteristic does Goring say Sir Robert's denunciation of the Argentine Canal scheme show?

8. How does Lady Chiltern feel when she first learns that Sir Robert sold a cabinet secret?

9. Why does Caversham say that bachelors are no longer in fashion?

10. Why does Goring tell Lady Chiltern that no one is incapable of foolish actions in Act 2, Part 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An Ideal Husband is certainly a commentary on ambition and how our ambitions can affect our lives. Where do we see ambition in the play and what effect does it have on the characters and the plot?

Essay Topic 2

Although Goring frequently provides the comic relief in this play, he also speaks very wise truths at various points in the play. At which points does Goring show wisdom? What does he say? Do the characters he is speaking to recognize his wisdom? Provide evidence from the play to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Wilde is a master of using little details that initially seem insignificant to make important points. Name three instances in which he uses small details to make a point. Identify each detail and discuss what Wilde uses the detail to say.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 688 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample