Practice Test Answers

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest . Lady Bracknell: I’m sorry if we are a little late, Algernon, but I was obliged to call on dear Lady Harbury. I hadn’t been there since her poor husband’s death. I never saw a woman so altered; she looks quite twenty years younger. And now I’ll have a cup of tea, and one of those nice cucumber sandwiches you promised me. Algernon: Certainly, Aunt Augusta. [Goes over to tea-table.] Lady Bracknell: Won’t you come and sit here, Gwendolen? What does Lady Bracknell say that makes light of marriage in this excerpt?

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest . Algernon: Oh! there is no use speculating on that subject. Divorces are made in Heaven. Part of the excerpt would be considered an epigram because

Read the excerpt from Act III of The Importance of Being Earnest. Cecily: Gwendolen, your common sense is invaluable. Mr. Moncrieff, kindly answer me the following question. Why did you pretend to be my guardian’s brother? Algernon: In order that I might have an opportunity of meeting you. Cecily: [To Gwendolen. ] That certainly seems a satisfactory explanation, does it not? Gwendolen: Yes, dear, if you can believe him. Cecily: I don’t. But that does not affect the wonderful beauty of his answer. What does this excerpt most clearly convey about Cecily?

Read the excerpt from Act III of The Importance of Being Earnest. Jack: But my dear Lady Bracknell, the matter is entirely in your own hands. The moment you consent to my marriage with Gwendolen, I will most gladly allow your nephew to form an alliance with my ward. What trait does Jack show in this excerpt?

Read the line from Act II of The Importance of Being Earnest . Cecily: It is always painful to part from people whom one has known for a very brief space of time. The literary device used in this line is a(n)