AnswersVRHS EN401 English IV S2Unit Test

Part 2: Literary Devices in The Importance of Being Earnest Answers

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1
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Which two definitions of the word little does the pun in this excerpt rely on?

A
few
B
thin
C
small
D
mean
E
young
2
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What literary device is being used when a writer intentionally describes something as being less than it actually is?

A
epigram
B
paradox
C
understatement
D
pun
3

Which line from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest is an epigram?

A
“There is no good offering a large reward now that the thing is found.”
B
“. . . you have no right whatsoever to read what is written inside.”
C
“More than half of modern culture depends on what one shouldn’t read.”
D
“Well, if you want to know, Cecily happens to be my aunt.”
4

Read the excerpt from Act II of The Importance of Being Earnest.Algernon. [Raising his hat.] You are my little cousin Cecily, I’m sure.Cecily. You are under some strange mistake. I am not little. In fact, I believe I am more than usually tall for my age.

A
realize that Cecily does not like Algernon.
B
think that Algernon is a funny person.
C
realize that Algernon is confused.
D
think that Cecily is a quick-witted person.
5

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest.Algernon. In the third place, I know perfectly well whom she will place me next to, to-night. She will place me next Mary Farquhar, who always flirts with her own husband across the dinner-table. That is not very pleasant. Indeed, it is not even decent . . . and that sort of thing is enormously on the increase. The amount of women in London who flirt with their own husbands is perfectly scandalous. It looks so bad. It is simply washing one’s clean linen in public. Besides, now that I know you to be a confirmed Bunburyist I naturally want to talk to you about Bunburying.

A
“. . . I know perfectly well whom she will place me next to . . .”
B
“She will place me next Mary Farquhar, who always flirts . . .”
C
“It is simply washing one’s clean linen in public.”
D
“Besides, now that I know you to be a confirmed Bunburyist . . .”
6

Read the excerpt from Act II of The Importance of Being Earnest.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.

A
It creates a more serious tone by mentioning that the engagement will appear in the newspaper.
B
It makes it clear that Gwendolen is not extremely concerned with the current situation.
C
It heightens how ridiculous it is that two women think they are engaged to the same man.
D
It heightens Cecily’s outrage at Gwendolen for thinking she is engaged to Ernest Worthing.
7

A type of wordplay that relies on two words that sound the same or a single word that has two distinct meanings is called a(n)

A
pun.
B
paradox.
C
epigram.
D
understatement.
8

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.

A
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.
B
when Cecily says, “Mr. Ernest Worthing and I are engaged to be married,” she is actually making a joke.
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 Gwendolen says, “The announcement will appear in the Morning Post on Saturday,” she is not telling the truth.
9

Read the excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest.Algernon. Well, we might trot round to the Empire at ten?Jack. Oh, no! I can’t bear looking at things. It is so silly.Algernon. Well, what shall we do?Jack. Nothing!Algernon. It is awfully hard work doing nothing. However, I don’t mind hard work where there is no definite object of any kind.

A
It causes the reader to think about the multiple meanings of the word bear in the play.
B
It causes the reader to think about how doing nothing should be easy, but in fact can be quite hard.
C
It causes the reader to realize that doing nothing is never hard work and that Algernon is wrong.
D
It causes the reader to realize that Jack thinks doing something is always better than doing nothing.
10

Which two definitions of the word blessing does the pun in this excerpt rely on?

A
approval from someone in charge
B
a religious ceremony called a christening
C
encouragement from a friend
D
grace said at a meal
E
something that brings one happiness

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