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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 is praised in the Preface?

2. When does Chapter Four begin in relation to Chapter Three?

3. Who is Dorian speaking with at the beginning of Chapter Four?

4. Who arrives to Dorian’s home with news in Chapter Eight?

5. What does Dorian devote himself to in Chapter Eight?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Basil say he originally did not want Dorian to see the painting?

2. Explain the reactions of Sibyl, Mrs. Vane, and James to Sibyl’s engagement.

3. How does Dorian deal with his emotion about Sibyl’s death at the end of Chapter Ten?

4. What decision does Dorian make in his life as a result of Sibyl’s suicide?

5. What does Lord Henry muse over at the end of Chapter Four?

6. What is the Preface about?

7. Why does Lord Henry not pass judgment on Dorian’s engagement?

8. Why does Dorian hide the painting in Chapter Ten?

9. What reaction does Dorian have to the yellow book? What does the yellow book signify?

10. Why does Dorian see a faint sneer on his portrait at the end of Chapter Seven?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the effect Dorian’s sins have on his psyche. How does he feel about his sins? How does he deal with his feelings? Why do Dorian’s sins affect him if the portrait is meant to take on the burden of his sins?

Essay Topic 2

Define conflict. Identify each type of conflict and give an example of each from The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Essay Topic 3

Explain Dorian’s desire to reform himself. Is it genuine? How do you know? Why does he say he wants to reform himself? Why does he really want to reform himself? Is he successful?

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