Part 1: A Comedy of Manners: The Importance of Being Earnest
Question 20 • IC English 12 - Deering
Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest.Lady Bracknell. Well, I must say, Algernon, that I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or to die. This shilly-shallying with the question is absurd. . . . I should be much obliged if you would ask Mr. Bunbury, from me, to be kind enough not to have a relapse on Saturday, for I rely on you to arrange my music for me. It is my last reception, and one wants something that will encourage conversation, particularly at the end of the season when every one has practically said whatever they had to say, which, in most cases, was probably not much.
Answer
A
her concern with a party instead of Mr. Bunbury’s health
B
her interest in playing classical music at her reception
C
her jealousy over Algernon’s friendship with the sickly Mr. Bunbury
D
her concern about the health of Algernon’s friend
Explanation
Lady Bracknell asks Algernon to keep Mr. Bunbury from having a relapse on Saturday because she needs Algernon to arrange music for her reception. She focuses on making the party lively and says conversation is especially needed, rather than showing genuine concern for Bunbury’s health. This reveals her concern with a party instead of Mr. Bunbury’s health.
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