Which phrase matches the subtitle content?

• A. A Trvial Comedy for Serious People
• B. A Trivial Comedy for Light-Hearted People
• C. A Trivial Comedy with Earnest People
• D. A Tragic Comedy for Serious People

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is recognizing Wilde’s exact subtitle and the irony it conveys. The play is framed as “A Trivial Comedy for Serious People,” which signals that what looks light and simple is aimed at those who take themselves seriously. This contrast between “trivial” and “serious” is central to the humor and satire of The Importance of Being Earnest, as characters’ pretensions and social conventions are lampooned through wit and playful dramatic turns.

That makes the best-match phrase the one that reads “A Trivial Comedy for Serious People” in spirit, even though the listed option has a small spelling error in one word. The other options shift the meaning—calling the audience light-hearted, changing to “with Earnest People,” or using “Tragic” instead of “Trivial”—and don’t reflect Wilde’s actual subtitle.