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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Act 1, Scene 2, what two events does Claudius describe?
(a) His coronation and the war with Norway.
(b) His brother's death and his own marriage to Gertrude.
(c) His brother's wedding and the birth of his nephew.
(d) The war that killed the last king and the upcoming marriage of his nephew.

2. Who asks Hamlet to sit nearby during the play? Who does Hamlet prefer to sit with?
(a) Claudius wants Hamlet to sit nearby, but he prefers Ophelia.
(b) Gertrude wants Hamlet to sit by her, but he prefers Horatio.
(c) Ophelia wants Hamlet to sit by her, but he prefers Horatio.
(d) Getrude wants Hamlet to sit by her, but he prefers Ophelia.

3. In Act 2, Scene 2, what happens when Polonius first tries to speak to Hamlet?
(a) Hamlet argues with him.
(b) Hamlet is glad to see him.
(c) Hamlet does not seem to recognize him.
(d) Hamlet ignores him.

4. Does Hamlet think the ghost can harm him?
(a) Yes.
(b) Not if he carries garlic and a crucifix.
(c) No.
(d) Only if he is afraid of it.

5. Hamlet sees Ophelia just as he finishes the "To be or not to be" speech. How does he act when he first sees her?
(a) He greets her pleasantly.
(b) He yells at her.
(c) He stares at her but says nothing.
(d) He runs away.

6. When the ghost first speaks to Hamlet, how does it describe its experience?
(a) It is tortured and burned in a fire all the time.
(b) It walks at night and is tortured by day.
(c) It walks all the time, hoping someone will set it free.
(d) It walks at night and is frozen in a block of ice during the day.

7. Hamlet says of Claudius: "He took my father grossly, full of bread; With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May." What does Hamlet mean by that?
(a) Claudius killed Hamlet's father before Hamlet's father could repent his sins.
(b) Claudius killed Hamlet's father by poisoning him with a heavy meal.
(c) Claudius looks like Hamlet's father.
(d) Claudius killed Hamlet's father when he was sleeping after a heavy meal.

8. What is Hamlet's mother's name?
(a) Gertrude.
(b) Ophelia.
(c) Fortinbras.
(d) Hecuba.

9. What does Hamlet tell his friends about his meeting with the ghost?
(a) He pretends that he did not see a ghost.
(b) He repeats the truth about the last king's death.
(c) He says the ghost is a liar.
(d) He tells them nothing.

10. In Act 2, Scene 1, what does Ophelia say about Hamlet's clothes?
(a) He was still dressed all in black.
(b) He was wearing his father's armor.
(c) He was wearing the shirt she embroidered for him.
(d) His clothes were in disarray.

11. In Act 1, Scene 5, what does the ghost ask Hamlet to do?
(a) Get revenge.
(b) Hire an exorcist.
(c) Have a priest pray for its soul.
(d) Help the new king.

12. In Act 2, Scene 1, how does Ophelia describe Hamlet's behavior?
(a) He would not look at her and would not speak to her.
(b) He stared at her, then started to yell at her.
(c) He stared at her but did not speak.
(d) He yelled at her but would not look at her.

13. After watching Hamlet and Ophelia together in Act 3, Scene 1, what does Claudius decide to do with Hamlet?
(a) Send him back to school.
(b) Send him to England.
(c) Send him to a hospital.
(d) Have a private talk with him.

14. What time of day is it when the play starts?
(a) Noon.
(b) Morning.
(c) Late at night.
(d) After dinner.

15. When Hamlet first sees the ghost, what does he call it?
(a) Devil, demon, bane of Heaven.
(b) King, father, royal Dane.
(c) Angel and minister of grace.
(d) Fearsome creature.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Hamlet learn about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's reasons for visiting Elsinore?

2. After telling Ophelia to get to a nunnery, what does Hamlet say about marriage?

3. After Hamlet's behavior during the play-within-a-play, what do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agree to do with Hamlet?

4. When the audience first sees Claudius, he gives a speech about the current situation in Denmark and then speaks to Hamlet about his behavior. What does Claudius say to Hamlet at this early point in the play?

5. What is the Prince of Norway's name?

(see the answer keys)

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