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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. To Shaw, what is the main advantage of Henry Sweet's "Current Shorthand"?
(a) It can express every sound in the language perfectly.
(b) Everyone is familiar with it, as it is widely taught in secretarial schools.
(c) It can be used on postcards, where there is limited space to write.
(d) It can be used as a kind of secret code or cryptogram.

2. What does Higgins say about women?
(a) He's happier without them and is a confirmed bachelor.
(b) He has a hard time controlling himself around beautiful women.
(c) He thinks men are superior to women and should tell them what to do.
(d) He thinks all women are silly creatures, like animals.

3. Who is Henry Sweet?
(a) The editor of a monthly review.
(b) A phonetics expert whom Shaw admired.
(c) A sweet-tempered professor of language and literature.
(d) A high official who popularized the subject of phonetics.

4. What does Higgins give Liza in Act 2 when she begins to cry?
(a) A shilling for the taxi.
(b) A whack on the bum with a broomstick.
(c) A meal.
(d) A handkerchief to wipe her nose with.

5. Which of the following does NOT describe the Flower Girl's appearance?
(a) Her hair needs to be brushed.
(b) She has bad teeth.
(c) She is wearing a black sailor hat.
(d) She is very clean and neat.

Short Answer Questions

1. How is Henry Higgins described?

2. Why doesHenry Sweet not become more prominent?

3. What does Shaw try to do for Sweet?

4. What does the taxicab driver realize about Liza that humiliates her?

5. Which comment does Shaw make about the realism in his play?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are Alexander Melville Bell, Alexander J. Ellis, Tito Pagliardini, and Henry Sweet, and why are they heroes to Shaw?

2. Why, according to Shaw, is it important that people be trained scientifically to lose their accents, rather than simply learning by imitation?

3. Why does the Flower Girl become upset at the note-taker? What is she most likely afraid of?

4. What does Higgins boast that he can do for the Flower Girl?

5. What should all great art be, according to Shaw? Do you agree? What does Shaw hope his play will teach?

6. Why does Liza become upset when Mrs. Pearce takes her up for a bath? What does this incident show about Liza?

7. What makes some English people despise others? What can we infer would solve this problem?

8. What does Liza likely mean when she says "I'm a good girl, I am"? Why does she say this?

9. Describe the Flower Girl.

10. What are three methods of phonetic shorthand that Shaw mentions in Pygmalion, and what are they used for?

(see the answer keys)

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