III. Comment on the following:

1. It is always painful to part from people whom one has known for a very long space of time. The absence of old friends one can endure with equanimity. But even a momentary separation from anyone to whom one has just been introduced is almost unbearable.

2. A man who is much talked about is always very attractive.

3. It would hardly have been a really serious engagement if it hadn’t been broken off at least once.

4. He is a most learned man. He has never written a book, so you can imagine how much he knows.

5. My first impressions of people are never wrong.

6. Once a man begins to neglect his domestic duties he becomes painfully effeminate.

7. I think that whenever one has anything unpleasant to say, one should always be candid.

8. Even men of the noblest possible moral character are extremely susceptible to the influence of the physical charms of others. Modern, no less than Ancient History, supplies us with most painful examples.

9. I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.

10. If the poor fellow has been into a foolish promise, I shall consider it my duty to rescue him at once, and with a firm hand.

Act III

I. Suggested vocabulary list (to be copied out, translated, learnt and reproduced from the book):

1. effrontery

2. to be (very) forward of smb

3. to crush / dispel smb’s doubts

4. hesitation / to hesitate (he who hesitates is lost)

5. to die of smth (a disease / illness / heart failure / shame / grief); v. to die from smth (wounds / loss of blood)

6. morbidity

7. (to act) under proper medical advice

8. to be above the proper average

9. on sm’s part

10. a certificate of birth / marriage

11. (up)on the grounds / (up)on what grounds

12. under an assumed name

13. to come (legally) of age

14. to deposit smth

15. undoubtedly

16. to cast stones at/against smb

17. to wipe smth out

18. irrevocable

19. to be on speaking terms

II. Answer the following questions:

1. In what kind of mood were the two ladies in the morning?

2. How did their mood change when they saw the young men?

3. What make the ladies reconcile with the young men?

4. What principles were at stake and what did the ladies decide to do?

5. What made the young ladies think that men were infinitely beyond women?

6. How did it happen that Lady Bracknell appear and what she declare firmly?

7. What was her remark about the late Mr. Bunbury?

8. Where was Gwendolen supposed to be at the moment?

9. What was Lady Bracknell’s first reaction to Algernon and Cecily’s announcement about their engagement?

10. How did the conversation develop? What made her give her consent?

11. What happened to young Lady Lancing after she had altered her clothes and her hair?

12. What conversation took place about Cecily’s age?

13. What impression did the name “Prism” make upon Lady Bracknell?

14. What kind of confession did Miss Prism make about the baby?

15. Who did Jack think was his mother?

16. What information of “paramount” importance did Lady Bracknell give to him?

17. How did Jack discover his identity?

18. What is the happy end of the comedy?