AnswersIC English 12 - DeeringPart 1: A Comedy of Manners: The Importance of Being Earnest

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

0 verified answers
1
Free Preview

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.”
2
Free Preview

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.
3

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
4

Which excerpt from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest. is an understatement?

A
“I am always telling that to your poor uncle, but he never seems to take much notice . . . as far as any improvement in his ailment goes.”
B
“Well, really, Gwendolen, I must say that I think there are lots of other much nicer names.”
C
“Gwendolen, I must get christened at once—I mean we must get married at once. There is no time to be lost.”
D
“You know that I love you, and you led me to believe, Miss Fairfax, that you were not absolutely indifferent to me.”
5

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
6

A short, witty statement that typically offers a surprising or satirical perspective on a topic is called a(n)

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

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
9

Which line from Act I of The Importance of Being Earnest is a paradox?

A
“It is awfully hard work doing nothing.”
B
“I have something very particular to say to Mr. Worthing.”
C
“You are not quite old enough to do that.”
D
“It may be necessary to do something desperate.”
10

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.

Did you find these answers helpful?

More from this Course

Quiz
21 verified answers

Part 1: A Comedy of Manners: The Importance of Being Earnest

Quiz
10 verified answers

Part 2: Literary Devices in The Importance of Being Earnest

Quiz
10 verified answers

Part 1: A Comedy of Manners: The Importance of Being Earnest