Question

read the excerpt from act iii of the importance of being earnest.
jack: that is very generous of you, lady bracknell. my own decision, however, is unalterable. i decline to give my consent.
lady bracknell: to cecily. come here, sweet child. cecily goes over. how old are you, dear?
cecily: well, i am really only eighteen, but i always admit to twenty when i go to evening parties.
lady bracknell: you are perfectly right in making some slight alteration. indeed, no woman should ever be quite accurate about her age. it looks so calculating... in a meditative manner. eighteen, but admitting to twenty at evening parties. well, it will not be very long before you are of age and free from the restraints of tutelage. so i dont think your guardians consent is, after all, a matter of any importance.
jack: pray excuse me, lady bracknell, for interrupting you again, but it is only fair to tell you that according to the terms of her grandfathers will miss cardew does not come legally of age till she is thirty - five.
in this excerpt, the victorian social code that stresses the importance of manners is most reflected through
lady bracknell’s actions when she speaks in a “meditative manner.”
jack’s actions when he declines to consent to the marriage.
lady bracknell’s words when she commends cecily for lying.
jack’s words when he addresses lady bracknell.

Explanation:

To determine the correct option, we analyze each choice:

• Option 1: Lady Bracknell's meditative manner doesn't directly relate to manners/stress on etiquette.
• Option 2: Jack declining consent is about his decision, not manners.
• Option 3: Commending lying goes against social codes of honesty/manners.
• Option 4: Jack's words when addressing Lady Bracknell (using "Pray excuse me" and polite language) reflect Victorian emphasis on proper manners and etiquette in communication.

Answer:

Jack’s words when he addresses Lady Bracknell.