Importance of Being Earnest

Algernon’s opening conversation with his manservant, Lane, suggests that Algernon is

• a harsh and snobbish task master.

• a witty, self-centered bachelor.

• an earnest do-gooder.

• a champion of the working class.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

Bunburying can best be defined as

• creating art for art's sake.

• emphasizing style over substance.

• making witty remarks that contradict a hypocritical society's accepted sentiments.

• using an imaginary friend or relative to escape one's social responsibilities.

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

When Lady Bracknell arrives during Act I, there are no cucumber sandwiches left because

• Algernon finished the last one before she arrived.

• Lane found no cucumbers at the market.

• Jack has eaten them all.

• Lady Bracknell has already had tea and crumpets at Lady Harbury’s.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.8.7

Lady Bracknell initially rejects Jack as a husband for Gwendolen because

• his ancestry is a mystery.

• he is too poor.

• he says his name is Ernest.

• he is poorly educated.

Gwendolen’s and Cecily’s interest in marrying a man named Ernest suggests that they are

• poetic and profound.

• sincere and unselfish.

• innocent and easily duped.

• whimsical, shallow, and superficial.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

Cecily keeps a diary because

• her life is very exciting.

• she wishes her life were more exciting.

• she plans to become a famous novelist.

• she needs a place to practice her German.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

CCSS.RL. 11-12.9

Cecily and Gwendolen briefly become rivals because they

• both are in love with Jack.

• think they are engaged to the same man.

• keep stealing each other’s lines.

• despise each other on first sight.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

Dr. Chasuble visits the Manor House mainly because he is interested in

• romancing Lady Bracknell.

• horticulture.

• helping to educate Cecily.

• romancing Miss Prism.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

It turns out that Jack is

• Algernon's lost cousin, Ernest.

• Algernon's lost brother, Ernest.

• Miss Prism's son.

• Cecily's lost brother, Ernest.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the verbal irony in the title?

• There is none.

• It says importance and there is nothing important in the book.

• It says earnest which means honest and Ernest the character is not honest.

• It is the title and those are the words that Jack says at the end.