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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is late to the masquerade?

2. Where does the Moroccan prince first touch land?

3. What will the correct suitor find inside the correct item in order to win Portia's hand in marriage?

4. What does Antonio compare life on this earth to?

5. Why has no suitor yet tried to choose one of the chests?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the inscriptions on each of the caskets say?

2. What does Gratiano say about Jessica after speaking with her for a time?

3. What does Lorenzo plan to do before the masquerade?

4. What does Shylock ask for if Antonio defaults on the loan for Bassanio?

5. What does Bassanio ask of Antonio when they first meet in this play and how does Antonio respond?

6. What does the Moroccan prince look like when he is first seen on stage?

7. What is the consequence of a suitor for Portia's hand choosing the wrong chest?

8. Why does Shylock say it is so brave of Antonio to guarantee a loan for Bassanio at this time?

9. What has caused the interest rates on loans to go down in Venice?

10. What and how does Antonio compare life on earth to while he is speaking to Gratiano?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What were the inscriptions and contents of the three caskets and what significance do they play on the course of the plot?

Essay Topic 2

The characters in this play all had their own goals and motivations. Select four characters and write about their main motivations and how this goal affects the characters around them.

Essay Topic 3

Antonio endures many different trials before the end of the play. What are some of these trials and what lessons does he learn through these experiences?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 749 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample