Which literary device is most prominent in Wilde's play?
- A. Irony
- B. Symbolism
- C. Metaphor
- D. Allusion
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Irony.' Irony is the most prominent literary device in Wilde's play, 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' as it pervades his critique of the upper class. Throughout the play, Wilde uses irony to highlight the absurdities and trivialities of the British aristocracy. The characters engage in witty and humorous dialogue filled with situational irony, verbal irony, and dramatic irony, exposing the superficiality and hypocrisy of the upper classes. Symbolism, metaphor, and allusion are present in the play but to a lesser extent compared to irony. While symbolism and metaphor are used to enhance the themes and characterizations, allusion is sparingly employed. However, it is the pervasive use of irony that sets the tone and drives Wilde's satire of the societal norms and values of the time.
You may also like to solve these questions
First-hand accounts of an event, subject matter, time period, or an individual are referred to as what type of source?
- A. Primary sources
- B. Secondary sources
- C. Direct sources
- D. Indirect sources
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: First-hand accounts, like the speech by Charles Dickens, are considered primary sources as they provide direct evidence or original data from the event or time period. Primary sources offer firsthand information, such as diaries, speeches, letters, autobiographies, or original research reports. Secondary sources interpret and analyze primary sources, making them one step removed from the original event or period. Direct and indirect sources are not commonly used terms in the context of primary and secondary sources.
How does the author distinguish between different groups of insects mentioned in the passage?
- A. By describing the specific characteristics and adaptations of each insect group.
- B. By grouping them based on their habitat into aquatic and aerial categories.
- C. By explaining the stages of development each insect undergoes.
- D. By identifying their habitats and the environments they are adapted to.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author distinguishes between different groups of insects based on their habitat, categorizing them into aquatic and aerial categories. The passage mentions how some insects spend time under water while others live in the air, emphasizing the distinction between aquatic and aerial habitats. Therefore, choice B is correct. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the passage does not focus on describing the specific characteristics, adaptations, stages of development, or environments of the insects, but rather on their habitat and lifestyle.
What can the reader infer from this passage? I would sometimes lie down, and let five or six of them dance on my hand; and at last the boys and girls would venture to come and play at hide-and-seek in my hair.
- A. The children tortured Gulliver.
- B. Gulliver traveled to meet new people.
- C. Gulliver is considerably larger than the children playing around him.
- D. Gulliver has a genuine love and enthusiasm for people of all sizes.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The reader can infer from the passage that Gulliver is considerably larger than the children playing around him. This is evident from the fact that the children dance on his hand and play hide-and-seek in his hair, indicating a significant size difference between Gulliver and the children. Choice A is incorrect because there is no mention or implication of the children torturing Gulliver in the passage. Choice B is incorrect because Gulliver's reason for traveling is not mentioned in the provided excerpt. Choice D is incorrect as there is no explicit indication of Gulliver having a genuine love and enthusiasm for people of all sizes; the passage primarily focuses on the interaction between Gulliver and the children in terms of size and playfulness.
How does the concept of leading double lives contribute to the overall message of the play?
- A. It shows the characters' true personalities and the superficial nature of their social roles.
- B. It reveals the hypocrisy and superficiality of the characters.
- C. It deepens the complexity of the characters and the societal norms they navigate.
- D. It complicates the narrative by adding layers of deception and irony.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. In Wilde's play, 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' the characters' practice of leading double lives serves to reveal their hypocrisy and superficiality. This aligns with the central theme of the play, which satirizes the absurdities and trivialities of the British aristocracy. By showcasing the characters' dual nature through their double lives, the play effectively critiques the shallow social roles they inhabit. Choice A is incorrect because the concept of leading double lives does not necessarily show the characters' true personalities but rather their deceptive and hypocritical behaviors. Choice C is incorrect as while leading double lives may deepen the complexity of the characters, the primary focus is on exposing their hypocrisy and shallowness. Choice D is also incorrect as the concept of double lives does add layers of deception, but the key message lies in revealing the characters' superficiality and hypocrisy.
What is the author's purpose in discussing aquatic insects in relation to those that spend their entire lives in the air?
- A. To emphasize the adaptability and complexity of insect life cycles.
- B. To compare aquatic insects with those that remain airborne.
- C. To highlight the unique features of insects that live in both environments.
- D. To question the validity of studying insects that live in only one environment.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The author's purpose in discussing aquatic insects in relation to those that spend their entire lives in the air is to emphasize the adaptability and complexity of insect life cycles. The author highlights how some insects transition between aquatic and aerial environments, showcasing the diverse strategies and features these insects possess to thrive in different habitats. Choice B is incorrect because the author is not solely comparing aquatic insects with those that remain airborne, but rather exploring their adaptability. Choice C is incorrect as the focus is not on highlighting unique features but on showcasing the transition between environments. Choice D is incorrect as the author is not questioning the validity of studying insects in only one environment but rather demonstrating the fascinating dual-life cycles of certain insects.