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

2. What is one example Shaw gives of when people might want to change their accents?
(a) To become teachers.
(b) To meet monarchs such as the Queen of Spain.
(c) To win love.
(d) To play the Queen of Spain onstage.

3. Why does Liza become upset with Higgins?
(a) He knocks over her basket of flowers.
(b) He won't give her any money.
(c) He makes fun of her accent in front of everyone.
(d) She thinks he's spying on her for the police.

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

5. What insulting term does Higgins use to describe Liza in Act 2?
(a) Idle-headed fool.
(b) Filthy tramp.
(c) Draggle-tailed guttersnipe.
(d) Foul-mouthed imp.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which best describes the first scene?

2. Who is Henry Sweet?

3. What does an upside-down e represent?

4. What does Liza want to do after her bath?

5. What does Sweet think of the Pitman system?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Flower Girl do at the end of Act 1 that shows she has a sense of pride and dignity about her?

2. What would, in Shaw's opinion, be a prodigious advancement in the English language? Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

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

4. Describe Henry Sweet.

5. How are Clara and her mother different?

6. Who are some of the most important people in England, according to Shaw? Why do you think this is so, again, according to Shaw?

7. Why does Liza's father come to see Higgins?

8. How does Higgins feel about women?

9. Describe the Flower Girl.

10. Who is the note-taker, and what is he actually doing?

(see the answer keys)

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