Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In Wilde's critique of the aristocracy, humor serves the purpose of critiquing without alienating the audience. By infusing humor into his work, Wilde can effectively highlight the flaws and absurdities of the upper classes while keeping the audience engaged and receptive. Option A is incorrect because the humor does not aim to soften the critique but rather to enhance its impact. Option B is incorrect as the humor in Wilde's work is not meant to make the critique more pointed and direct but rather more approachable. Option D is incorrect because while entertaining the audience, the primary function of humor in Wilde's critique is to provide a platform for social commentary without losing the audience's interest.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: According to the extract, the term 'working man' refers to individuals who are actively employed and earn wages in a traditional sense. Charles Dickens emphasizes the importance of the working man having a share in the management of institutions designed for their benefit. This aligns with choice C, making it the correct answer. Choice A is incorrect as the extract does not mention anything about being well versed in the workings of the soul. Choice B is incorrect because the extract does not suggest that working men are not involved in social activities due to the physical demands of their work. Choice D is also incorrect as the extract does not focus on the historical transitions of the working man.

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.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Plebeian.' In the given extract, the term 'working man' is associated with individuals who are part of the working class. Historically, plebeians were common working-class citizens. The passage emphasizes the dedication, patience, and support of the working man towards an enterprise, aligning with the characteristics attributed to plebeians in society. 'Viscount' is a noble title and not related to the working class. 'Entrepreneur' refers to a business person who takes risks to start a business, which is not the focus of the passage. 'Bourgeois' typically refers to the middle class, not specifically the working class like the term 'Plebeian.'

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Choice B best exemplifies an author's use of alliteration and personification. The sentence 'It shuddered, swayed, shook, and screamed its way into dust under hot flames' personifies an inanimate object (it) by attributing human actions to it, combining alliteration with the repeated 's' sounds. Choices A, C, and D do not contain both alliteration and personification. Choice A mainly focuses on simile and lacks alliteration. Choice C features personification but lacks alliteration. Choice D includes personification but lacks alliteration as well.