21
QuizMultiple Choice

Nineteenth Century England — Test

Question 21 • British Literature and Composition

Read the excerpt from Act III of The Importance of Being Earnest. Jack: I fear there can be no possible doubt about the matter. This afternoon during my temporary absence in London on an important question of romance, he obtained admission to my house by means of the false pretence of being my brother. Under an assumed name he drank, I’ve just been informed by my butler, an entire pint bottle of my Perrier-Jouet, Brut, ’89; wine I was specially reserving for myself. Continuing his disgraceful deception, he succeeded in the course of the afternoon in alienating the affections of my only ward. He subsequently stayed to tea, and devoured every single muffin. And what makes his conduct all the more heartless is, that he was perfectly well aware from the first that I have no brother, that I never had a brother, and that I don’t intend to have a brother, not even of any kind. I distinctly told him so myself yesterday afternoon. Based on this excerpt, what behavior does Jack most clearly disapprove of?

Answer
A
being deceptive
B
being romantic
C
being creative
D
being determined

Explanation

Jack repeatedly describes the visitor’s actions as false, assumed, and disgraceful: he pretended to be Jack’s brother under an assumed name. Jack also stresses that the visitor knew Jack had no brother. This shows Jack most clearly disapproves of being deceptive.

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