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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. Which two words do Miss Prism and Cecily confuse as they talk about Jack and his "brother"?

2. What workman's item does Gwendolen claim never to have seen?

3. Why does Algernon claim he left London before Monday?

4. At the end of the act, why does Algernon not want to see Cecily in the garden?

5. What is Algernon eating at the end of the Act?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Algernon end up paying for Jack's debt in Act II?

2. What reason does Miss Prism give for not wanting Ernest to be saved from his vices?

3. What order does Jack give to Algernon after the women go in to lunch?

4. Why is Cecily always distracted from her lessons?

5. What reason does Cecily give for not wanting to show Algernon her diary?

6. How does Algernon get rid of Miss Prism when he wants say goodbye to Cecily?

7. Describe Chasuble.

8. How does Cecily get rid of Miss Prism at the the beginning of Act II?

9. Why does Gwendolen state that she wishes Cecily were older?

10. How do Cecily and Gwendolen learn the truth about Ernest?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following options to write about:

1.) What type of freedom does Ernest allow Jack? Can he do certain things because of Ernest that he could not without him? What unexpected challenges arise because of the freedom Ernest allows?

2.) Write about debt as a driving force in the play? Which characters - both real and fictional - have accumulated debt and how doe they justify it. Cite specific examples in the text.

3.) To what extent are Lane, Miss Prism, and Chasuble all constrained by unseen forces to act in a certain way? Do any of them overcome these forces?

Essay Topic 2

Like many English comedic plays, the Importance of Being Ernest ends with three marriages:

Part 1.) How are Jack's and Algernon's betrothal inextricable linked, both as impediments to each other and later as facilitators?

Part 2.) What obstacles do Miss Prism and Chasuble face in their courtship? What would have happened had they not wed?

Part 3.) Which of the three engagements suffered most before becoming secure? Which marriage do you think will be strongest? Cite examples from the text to justify your position.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay with the thesis that Jack Worthing's decision to hire Miss Prism before the play begins is the reason why the play ends happily. Use the three marriage's as a framing device for your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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