Question

adapted from The Importance of Being Earnest
A Trivial Comedy for Serious People
by Oscar Wilde



CHARACTERS:
ALGERNON MONCRIEF
JOHN "JACK" WORTHING, J.P.

Stage Set: The luxuriously and artistically furnished morning-room in Algernon's flat in Half-Moon Street. Jack has stopped by to visit Algernon but is taken aback when Algernon produces, then refuses to return, his misplaced card case.

ALGERNON: Why does your aunt call you her uncle? (Reading the inscription in the card case) 'From little Cecily, with her fondest love to her dear Uncle Jack.' There is no objection, but why an aunt should call her own nephew her uncle, I can't quite make out, and besides, your name isn't Jack at all, it is Ernest.
JACK: It isn't Ernest, it's Jack.
ALGERNON: You have always told me it was Ernest, I have introduced you to everyone as Ernest, you answer to the name Ernest and you are the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life. It is absurd your saying that your name isn't Ernest. It's on your cards (taking it from case.) 'Mr. Ernest Worthing,' I'll keep this as proof that your name is Ernest if ever you attempt to deny it to me, or to anyone else (puts card in pocket.)
JACK: Well, my name is Ernest in town and Jack in the country.
ALGERNON: Yes, but that does not account for the fact that your Aunt Cecily calls you her dear uncle.
JACK: My dear Algy, you talk exactly as if you were a dentist, and it is vulgar to talk like a dentist when one isn't a dentist, as it produces a false impression.
ALGERNON: Well, that is exactly what dentists always do, do go on and tell me the whole thing!
JACK: Well, produce my case first.
ALGERNON: Here it is (hands over the card case), now produce your explanation and pray make it improbable.
JACK: My dear fellow, there is nothing improbable about my explanation at all, in fact it's perfectly ordinary. Mr Thomas Cardew, who adopted me when I was a little boy, made me in his will guardian to his grand-daughter, Miss Cecily Cardew, who addresses me as her uncle out of respect, and lives at my place in the country with her governess, Miss Prism.
ALGERNON: Where is that place in the country, by the way?
JACK: That is nothing to you, dear boy, as you are not going to be invited . . .
2Question 2
Which detail is emphasized in both the passage and the picture?
A.
the immensity of Algernon's flat in Half-Moon Street
B.
the time of day Jack arrives at Algernon's flat
C.
the elegance of Algernon's morning-room
D.
the tasteful artwork decorating the morning-room
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Answer 1

C

Both the stage directions describe the room as "luxuriously and artistically furnished," and the picture emphasizes the room's elegant, well-appointed appearance.