Part 2: Literary Devices in The Importance of Being Earnest — Quiz
Question 10 • English Language Arts 12
Read the excerpt from Act II of The Importance of Being Earnest . Jack: Oh! I don’t see much fun in being christened along with other babies. It would be childish. Would half-past five do? Chasuble: Admirably! Admirably! [Takes out watch.] And now, dear Mr. Worthing, I will not intrude any longer into a house of sorrow. I would merely beg you not to be too much bowed down by grief. What seem to us bitter trials are often blessings in disguise. Miss Prism: This seems to me a blessing of an extremely obvious kind. Which two definitions of the word blessing does the pun in this excerpt rely on? Choose two correct answers.
Answer
A
encouragement from a friend
B
a religious ceremony called a christening
C
something that brings one happiness
D
approval from someone in charge
E
grace said at a meal
Explanation
“Blessings in disguise” means hardships that turn out to bring happiness or good fortune, which matches C. The joke also connects “blessing” to the religious context of Jack arranging to be christened, matching B. Miss Prism calls it an obvious blessing because Jack’s planned christening gives the word a second, religious sense.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.