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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did Oscar Wilde escape from being prosecuted for homosexuality?
(a) He struck a deal with the lead prosecutor to abstain from homosexual acts.
(b) He bought his way out of the investigation by paying off influential barristers.
(c) His lover's parents refused to press charges when they realized that their son would have to be imprisoned as well.
(d) Oscar Wilde broke up with his lover before the authorities could gather any evidence against them.

2. What did Oscar Wilde consider doing before his first trial?
(a) Fleeing to Paris.
(b) Withdrawing the charges.
(c) Filing additional charges.
(d) Renouncing homosexuality.

3. How did Oscar Wilde come across at his first trial?
(a) As a corrupter of youth.
(b) As an elitist.
(c) As a hero.
(d) As a victim.

4. When was Oscar Wilde first released from prison?
(a) 1893.
(b) 1889.
(c) 1891.
(d) 1895.

5. How did Oscar Wilde's first trial turn out?
(a) The trial caused Wilde to be expelled from the country.
(b) The trial resulted in a victory for Wilde and vindication of his personality.
(c) The trial bankrupted Wilde, but it made him famous.
(d) The trial allowed Wilde's lover's father to turn the tables and expose Wilde's homosexuality.

6. Who is Lord Alfred Douglas?
(a) Oscar Wilde's primary lover.
(b) The father of Wilde's lover.
(c) Oscar Wilde's lawyer.
(d) Oscar Wilde's publisher.

7. What caused Oscar Wilde to stop writing?
(a) He had headaches that blinded him.
(b) His health declined.
(c) He began to lose his memory.
(d) He became ill and did not have the strength to write.

8. Who is Colonel Isaacson?
(a) A friend of Oscar Wilde's in London.
(b) Oscar Wilde's lover.
(c) A strict disciplinarian at Reading jail.
(d) Oscar Wilde's barrister.

9. What is the name of the town where Oscar Wilde stayed after leaving Reading jail?
(a) Bernaval.
(b) Chamonix.
(c) Dieppe.
(d) Nancy.

10. How did Robert Ross help Oscar Wilde?
(a) He published Wilde's last work.
(b) He persuaded Wilde's mother to reinstate Wilde's allowance.
(c) He introduced Wilde to willing supporters.
(d) He gave Wilde money for food.

11. How did prison affect Oscar Wilde's health?
(a) Wilde's health deteriorated rapidly.
(b) Wilde was pampered by prison guards.
(c) Wilde lost weight and got in shape.
(d) Wilde nearly died when his illness was not treated.

12. In which prison was Oscar Wilde first imprisoned?
(a) Holloway.
(b) Wandsworth.
(c) Reading.
(d) Pentonville.

13. What did Oscar Wilde say about disciples?
(a) There are no disciples.
(b) Every man is a disciple of Christ.
(c) Life is an eternal discipleship.
(d) Every disciple is enslaved by his master.

14. Who brings Oscar Wilde out of his artistic doldrums after he is released from Reading jail?
(a) Douglas.
(b) The Marquis of Queensberry.
(c) Major Nelson.
(d) His mother.

15. What was Oscar Wilde's clothing like in prison?
(a) Coarse.
(b) Dapper.
(c) Drab.
(d) Flamboyant.

Short Answer Questions

1. What disturbing scene does Oscar Wilde witness before leaving Reading jail?

2. What was the subject of much of Oscar Wilde's correspondence in the period when he was writing the Ballad of Reading Gaol?

3. How did Oscar Wilde describe homosexuality in court?

4. Why was "Salome" not performed?

5. How secretive was Oscar Wilde about his homosexuality after his children were born?

(see the answer keys)

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