Read the excerpt from Act II of The Importance of Being Earnest . Cecily: [Rather shy and confidingly.] Dearest Gwendolen, there is no reason why I should make a secret of it to you. Our little county newspaper is sure to chronicle the fact next week. Mr. Ernest Worthing and I are engaged to be married. Gwendolen: [Quite politely, rising.] My darling Cecily, I think there must be some slight error. Mr. Ernest Worthing is engaged to me. The announcement will appear in the Morning Post on Saturday at the latest. Part of this excerpt would be considered an understatement because
Answer
A
when Cecily says, “Mr. Ernest Worthing and I are engaged to be married,” she is actually making a joke.
B
when Gwendolen says, “The announcement will appear in the Morning Post on Saturday,” she is not telling the truth.
C
when Gwendolen says, “I think there must be some slight error,” she is actually referring to the large error of Cecily saying she is engaged to Ernest.
D
when Cecily says, “There is no reason why I should make a secret of it to you,” she actually does have a reason to keep it a secret.
Explanation
An understatement describes something as less serious or significant than it really is. Gwendolen calls the situation “some slight error,” even though Cecily’s claim that she is engaged to Ernest directly conflicts with Gwendolen’s own claim to be engaged to him. That makes choice C, “she is actually referring to the large error of Cecily saying she is engaged to Ernest,” correct.
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