Pygmalion Acts 1 and 2 Quiz

Analyze how the setting of Covent Garden in Act 1 contributes to the themes of social class and transformation in "Pygmalion."

• It highlights the wealth of the characters and their indifference to the poor.

• It serves as a microcosm of London society, illustrating the interactions and divisions between different social classes.

• It is used only as a backdrop and has no thematic significance.

• It demonstrates the importance of weather in shaping character behavior.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

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

Evaluate the motivations behind Professor Higgins’s decision to take on Eliza Doolittle as a pupil. What reasoning does he use to justify his actions?

• He wants to prove his superiority over Colonel Pickering.

• He is motivated by a bet and a desire to demonstrate his phonetic skills, believing he can transform Eliza’s social status through language.

• He feels genuine compassion for Eliza’s plight.

• He is seeking financial gain from Eliza’s transformation.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.3

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CCSS.RL.7.6

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CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Using evidence from Act 2, explain how Eliza’s initial visit to Higgins’s laboratory reflects her character and aspirations.

• She is timid and easily manipulated, showing no real ambition.

• She is assertive and determined, demonstrating her desire to improve her life and social standing.

• She is confused and unaware of her surroundings.

• She is only interested in money and not in self-improvement.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Assess the significance of language and accent as depicted in Acts 1 and 2. How do these elements affect the characters’ interactions and perceptions of each other?

• Language and accent are irrelevant to the characters’ relationships.

• They serve as markers of social class, influencing how characters judge and treat one another.

• Only Eliza’s accent is important, not the others’.

• They are used solely for comedic effect.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Interpret the role of Colonel Pickering in the early acts. How does his behavior contrast with that of Higgins, and what does this reveal about their respective attitudes toward Eliza?

• Pickering is dismissive and rude, while Higgins is kind and patient.

• Pickering is respectful and considerate, treating Eliza as a person, while Higgins is often insensitive and treats her as a subject for experimentation.

• Both are equally indifferent to Eliza’s feelings.

• Pickering is more interested in phonetics than Higgins.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Based on the events of Acts 1 and 2, predict the potential challenges Eliza might face as she undergoes her transformation. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

• She will have no challenges because Higgins is an excellent teacher.

• She may struggle with losing her identity and facing prejudice from both her old and new social circles.

• She will immediately be accepted by high society.

• She will only face financial difficulties.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Critique the ethical implications of Higgins’s experiment with Eliza. What reasoning could be used to argue that his actions are problematic?

• He is helping Eliza out of pure kindness.

• He treats Eliza as an object for his own amusement and disregards her autonomy and feelings.

• He is following standard scientific procedure.

• He is acting under legal authority.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Examine the significance of Alfred Doolittle’s appearance in Act 2. How does his interaction with Higgins and Pickering reflect broader social themes in the play?

• It shows that all characters are equally wealthy.

• It highlights issues of class mobility, morality, and the commodification of relationships.

• It is included only for comic relief.

• It demonstrates the importance of education.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

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

Using reasoning and evidence from the text, explain why Eliza insists on paying Higgins for her lessons in Act 2.

• She wants to assert her independence and avoid being seen as a charity case.

• She is required by law to pay for lessons.

• She is trying to bribe Higgins.

• She wants to impress Colonel Pickering.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

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

Analyze how Shaw uses humor in Acts 1 and 2 to address serious social issues. Provide an example from the text to support your answer.

• Shaw uses humor to distract from the play’s serious themes.

• Shaw uses humor to expose the absurdities of social class distinctions, such as when Higgins classifies people by their accents.

• Shaw avoids humor in these acts.

• Shaw uses humor only in the dialogue between Eliza and her father.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

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