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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 can Higgins guess about people?

2. Who is Henry Sweet?

3. What does the Flower Girl call the Gentleman?

4. What should happen with the spelling of the English language, according to Shaw?

5. At which university does Sweet teach?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Freddy do at the beginning of Act 1 that shows poor manners?

5. How does Higgins feel about women?

6. Why does the English language need to be reformed, according to Shaw?

7. Describe the Flower Girl.

8. What bet does Pickering make with Higgins? Why does Higgins accept?

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

10. How are Clara and her mother different?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a compare and contrast essay about Higgins and Pickering. In the essay, compare the way Higgins treats Liza to the way Pickering treats her, giving specific examples and quotations from the play. Consider, too, the way both men behave toward other characters in the play. Is Higgins right that both men treat Liza the same as they would anyone else? Which man is more of a gentleman? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay in which you examine the negative consequences of having money and social status in Pygmalion. Liza's father, Alfred Doolittle, is poor but does not wish to have money. Why? When he comes into money, why does he blame Higgins for delivering him into the hands of middle-class morality? Does he make a good point? What are some of the drawbacks to having money? What are the restrictions of being in a particular social class?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about feminism in Pygmalion. In the Epilogue to his play, Shaw quotes Nietzsche in saying, "When you go to women, take your whip with you." Does Shaw agree or disagree with this statement? Is he a sexist or a feminist, in your opinion? Explain, using evidence from the play. Consider in your essay his characterization of Liza, Clara, Mrs. Higgins, and Mrs. Pearce.

(see the answer keys)

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