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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 does Miss Prism instruct Cecily to read while she is gone?

3. Next to whose room does Merriman place Algernon's luggage?

4. Why was Miss Prism's novel never published?

5. What minor character defames the German language at the beginning of the Act?

Short Essay Questions

1. What favor does Jack request of Chasuble?

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

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

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

5. What does Cecily do to anger Gwendolen as they take tea?

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

7. What changes in Ernest's behavior does Algernon announce when he arrives at Jack's country house?

8. Why is Cecily always distracted from her lessons?

9. Describe Cecily and Miss Prisms opposing views on writing.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several of the characters in The Importance of Being Ernest rely upon fiction to live their lives as they would like:

Part 1.) Describe Algernon's relationship with Bunbury. How does he use his "friend" to avoid unpleasant situations?

Part 2.) Compare Jack's relationship with Ernest to Algernon's with Bunbury? How are his motivations for having a fake associate different? Are his methods more complex?

Part 3.) Compare both Jack and Algernon's fictional associates with Cecily's fantasy life from her diary. How are her motivations and methods different from the men's?

Essay Topic 2

Is Chasuble a religious hypocrite or merely a bumbling blowhard? Make a case for one or the other in essay form, citing statement made and actions taken be Chasuble to corroborate your position.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following topics to write about:

1.) What aspects of a person are important to a courtship according to Cecily? How do these differ from those of Lady Bracknell?

2.) What is Algernon's stated stance on romance and marriage in Act I? Why do you think he decides to propose to Cecily in spite of this position? Cite statements made by Algernon later to justify your argument.

3.) Gwendolen's statement about always wanting to marry a man named Ernest is absurd, but her reasons for liking the name are indicative of a desire everyone has when getting married. What are her reasons for liking the name and how do they indicate a universal desire of humankind?

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