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. Why was Miss Prism's novel never published?

2. Who does Cecily wish would come to the country manor?

3. What German writer is Cecily studying at the top of Act II?

4. Why is Miss Prism concerned by Chasuble's being in the vestry?

5. What is Cecily's constant distraction?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. Why is Cecily always distracted from her lessons?

7. What argument does Jack make to Algernon about eating in times of despair, and why at the end of Act II?

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

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

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

Do you believe that Lady Bracknell's constant fretting about Gwendolen's inauspicious betrothal, the state of over-education, and comment on train platforms (to name a few examples) indicates an implicit fear of devaluation of high society in England? Write an essay with your position, using statements about the role of the upper class to support your claim.

Essay Topic 2

Now does Jack's last line about "the vital importance of being earnest" reflect a possible lesson he has learned. Use Jack's character arc over the course of the play and the reason for his final salvation as evidence to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 864 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample