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 Mabel find in the sofa, hidden by a cushion?

2. According to Lady Markby, what is fashionable in marriage nowadays?

3. According to Mrs. Cheveley, what do Englishmen always get after a good meal?

4. At the dinner party in Act 1, Part 1, what does Lady Basildon think of the man who talks about his wife during dinner?

5. What does Lady Chiltern say gives one an instinct to things?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lord Goring say the men in the House of Commons stand the long debates that take place?

2. Why is Mabel angry with Goring in Act 4, Part 1?

3. What reason does Mrs. Marchmont give for hating being educated?

4. Why does Sir Robert say he is skeptical of the Argentine Canal scheme?

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

6. In Act 2, Part 2, what error does Sir Robert say all women make?

7. Mrs. Cheveley gives Sir Robert a piece of advice about dealing with their pasts. What does she tell him they all must do?

8. Why is Mabel upset when she joins a conversation with Goring and other party guests and finds they are talking about Mrs. Cheveley?

9. What does Sir Robert do after Mrs. Cheveley brings up Baron Arnheim that shows he is uncomfortable with the whole conversation?

10. Why does Sir Robert think it so unfair that the scandal revealed in his letter to Baron Arnheim should surface now?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Wilde takes several jabs at politicians and the political world in this play. What can we infer about Wilde's own political opinions from this play? How does he feel about politicians and politics in general? Provide evidence from the play to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Wilde almost certainly has an opinion about the ideals people try to hold each other to. What do you think his opinion is on this topic? Why do you believe this? Provide examples from the play to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

What purpose does the character of Caversham serve? What comment does Wilde use him to make? Provide examples from the play.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 649 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample