View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Dorian do when he sees the portrait?

2. What does Lord Henry want Basil to do?

3. What was Basil’s emotion upon first meeting Dorian?

4. In what play did Dorian see Sibyl that led to his proposal?

5. What does Sibyl see while she talks to James?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lord Henry want Dorian to see Sibyl’s death?

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

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

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

5. What does Basil think of the change in Dorian, according to Chapter Nine?

6. What is the reason for the change in Sibyl in Chapter Seven?

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

8. Why is Dorian’s past considered dark?

9. How does Lord Henry believe one’s life should be spent, according to Chapter Three? Who is he targeting with these comments?

10. Why does Basil not want to exhibit the portrait of Dorian, according to Chapter One?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the elements of Freytag’s Pyramid. Give at least one example from The Picture of Dorian Gray for each element of Freytag’s Pyramid.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the Victorian Era. Identify characteristics of the Victorian Era that Wilde incorporated into The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Essay Topic 3

Explain Basil’s role in The Picture of Dorian Gray. How does he interact with Dorian? How does he interact with other characters in the story? How does he fit into the plot of the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 622 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample