Serious and determined (7)

I believe the answer is:

earnest

(Other definitions for earnest that I've seen before include "serious attention" , "Resolute" , "Oscar Wilde wrote ''The importance of Being . . . . . . . '' (7)" , "'Serious, sincere (7)'" , "Sincere, solemn" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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