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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. What does Sir Robert say are the only two fashionable religions?

2. Who puts the lights out at the end of Act 1?

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 Mrs. Cheveley tell Sir Robert won't survive a scandal?

5. What does Mrs. Cheveley tell Sir Robert she did not receive prizes for?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Goring comments that Mrs. Cheveley is just as willful as she used to be, why does Mrs. Cheveley say she has actually improved?

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

3. What reason does Lady Markby give for the people in the park not looking so fresh?

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

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

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

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

8. Before sitting down to dinner, why does Mabel say that Goring has been "horrid" and what is his response?

9. In Act 2, Part 2, what does Goring say to criticize Lady Chiltern?

10. Why does Sir Robert think someone has been listening in on his conversation with Goring while he's at Goring's house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What makes An Ideal Husband a farce? What elements of a farce are present in the play? Why does Wilde make the shift from satire to farce?

Essay Topic 2

The climax of the play wraps up a number of misconceptions that occur during the course of the play. List and discuss at least three of the misconceptions, who is affected by them, and how they are resolved.

Essay Topic 3

When Goring finally proposes to Mabel she accepts even though the proposal didn't occur in quite the way she hoped it would. Why do you think Goring's proposal is finally satisfactory with her even though it didn't quite meet her expectations? What does her acceptance of this less than ideal proposal say about her change in attitude toward marriage and all its trappings?

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This section contains 651 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample