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

2. What does Chasuble claim was the reference in his unintentionally romantic comment to Miss Prism?

3. About whom has Algernon - as Ernest - been talking to Cecily?

4. Which of these is not an occasion when Chasuble has preach his sermon on manna?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Why is Cecily always distracted from her lessons?

8. What favor does Jack request of Chasuble?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The characters of The Importance of Being Earnest live in a society largely unchanged in a dynamic century. As such, they often make disparaging remarks about revolutions going on around them. Write an essay about their attitude toward change, using the text as a guide and dedicating a paragraph to each of the following:

1.) Socialism

2.) The French Revolution

3.) Women's Rights

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 790 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample