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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 does Cecily do with the scissors?

2. When Algernon arrives, under what name is he traveling?

3. What is Cecily's constant distraction?

4. Why will Cecily not allow Algernon to read her diary?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What has Algernon arranged for later in the afternoon that jack has as well?

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

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

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

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

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

7. After the two women storm off, what is Algernon's attitude?

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

9. What news does Jack bring with him when he returns home from London.

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

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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