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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 is Cecily's constant distraction?

2. What attribute of Ernest does Cecily love?

3. Who is the other partner in Grigsby's soliciting firm?

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. When Algernon arrives under the guise Ernest, what does Cecily tell him about Jack's plans?

2. Describe Chasuble.

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

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

5. What is Cecily's response to Algernon's proposal to her?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the Importance of Being Earnest, certain objects play more central roles in driving action than characters. Write an essay dealing with the following three objects - a paragraph each - and how they affect the outcome of the play:

Part 1.) Algernon's bills

Part 2.) Cecily's diary

Part 3.) The handbag

Essay Topic 2

Jack Worthing begins the play admitting to a series of untruths, among them his name and his relationship with Cecily. Do you think that Jack's habit of deceiving those close to him is forgivable since no one is harmed? Do you think that Gwendolen is genuinely hurt by the revelation Jack has lied to her? What about his assertion that Ernest has died?

Essay Topic 3

Miss Prism is one of the more complex characters in The Importance of Being Earnest. Write an essay covering the following topics surrounding her character:

Part 1) When we first meet Miss Prism in Act II, what do we think is her passion in life? Does she have one? What are her attitudes - stated or implied - or art and marriage?

Part 2) At what point do we realize that Miss Prism has feelings for Chasuble? What hope does she have of taking him as a husband?

Part 3) How do the revelations about Miss Prism's past affect our understanding of her character? Is she, in the end, a more or less sympathetic character?

(see the answer keys)

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