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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 does the 13th Earl of Gurney propose a toast to?

2. What does Charles say is the only way they can get Jack out of the way?

3. What does Tucker come back into the room smoking?

4. What kind of person does Grace say Claire is?

5. What is the name of Sir Charles' wife?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jack say in his speech to the Houses of Lords?

2. What reference does Jack make to Jack the Ripper in Act 2, Scene 4?

3. How do the characters dress for Jack and Grace's wedding?

4. What does Dr. Herder say is wrong with Jack?

5. Why does Herder think Jack was lucky?

6. How does Jack prove he is still ill?

7. How does Jack kill Grace at the end of the play?

8. What part of upperclass life does Claire tell Jack she finds difficult?

9. How does Tucker help the Earl prepare?

10. What are Grace and Charles' opinions of Claire?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine upper class life.

1) How do people in the British upper classes view life?

2) What influence have the British upper classes had on popular culture?

3) How does the author express both the negative and positive aspects of British upper class life?

Essay Topic 2

In 1972, THE RULING CLASS was made into a film starring Peter O'Toole. Why do you think the themes and ideas in the book were still relevant six years later? How did the filmmakers adapt the themes to fit in with the new environment? How did these changes affect the meaning of the story?

Essay Topic 3

THE RULING CLASS is a play. What are the differences between a play and a novel in terms of the following:

1. Language

2. Character

3. Structure

(see the answer keys)

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