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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What happens to the troupe still dressed in their costumes?
(a) They walk off the stage.
(b) They join the audience.
(c) They drag Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to center stage.
(d) They all die in different ways.

2. When Hamlet, Polonius, and Ophelia exit, where are they apparently going?
(a) Denmark
(b) Norway
(c) England
(d) France

3. When they meet the King of England, what troubles Rosencrantz?
(a) Roesncrantz fears they might be in trouble.
(b) Rosencrantz is nervous about what they will say.
(c) Rosencrantz does not know how to speak English.
(d) Rosencrantz thinks their clothes are not good enough.

4. Finally what does Rosencrantz decide to do?
(a) Play another game of coins
(b) Call for Claudius
(c) Hit Hamlet over the head
(d) Leave for home

5. What does Rosencrantz ask Guildenstern about death?
(a) If he is afraid to face death
(b) If he has ever thought of himself as dead, in a box with a lid on it
(c) If he thinks he will never die
(d) If he thinks death is like falling asleep for a while

6. Who are the last to die?
(a) Hamlet and Ophelia drink poison and die in each other's arms.
(b) The two remaining tragedians are dressed as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and are stabbed.
(c) Hamlet and the Player swordfight and kill each other.
(d) The two captured pirates are thrown overboard.

7. What does the Player try to explain to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
(a) How he happens to be at court
(b) What his relationship to Hamlet is
(c) Why he lied about doing The Murder of Gonzago
(d) How important the audience is to the performance

8. What happens when Rosencrantz and Guildenstern make a snare for Hamlet out of their belts?
(a) The belts are not long enough.
(b) Guildenstern's belt breaks.
(c) Rosencrantz's pants fall down around his ankles.
(d) Hamlet sees them and runs away.

9. What surprise does Rosencrantz get when he thinks he's playing with the Queen?
(a) It is Ophelia.
(b) It is a maid.
(c) It is Hamlet in a dress.
(d) It is the boy, Alfred.

10. What happens when Rosencrantz kicks one of the large barrels?
(a) It yells at him.
(b) The lid pops open.
(c) The music stops.
(d) It tips over.

11. Where did Hamlet say the body of Polonius is?
(a) In the river
(b) With the King
(c) With Ophelia
(d) In the chapel

12. Who is standing upstage and lights a lantern?
(a) Hamlet
(b) Claudius
(c) Alfred
(d) The Player

13. As characters enter and exit the stage, what is Rosencrantz's objection?
(a) He complains that he never gets to lie down and rest.
(b) He complains that he cannot remember their names.
(c) He complains that he never has time to talk to anyone.
(d) He complains that people are always coming and going.

14. What does Guildenstern explain to Rosencrantz about Hamlet's whereabouts?
(a) That he is being taken to England by a soldier.
(b) That he has gone into hiding.
(c) That he has escaped to Norway.
(d) That he is being interrogated by the King.

15. When Hamlet says he will be with them shortly, what do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern do?
(a) Laugh because they don't believe him
(b) Say they will stay by his side
(c) Run off
(d) Wait for him

Short Answer Questions

1. What makes Rosencrantz and Guildenstern laugh at this new coin game?

2. Where does Hamlet tell Ophelia to go?

3. To shouts of "The King rises...Give o'er the play!" and cries for Lights, lights, lights!" how do the lights come up?

4. What do Hamlet, the Player, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern do when pirates attack?

5. What are the lines from Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act II, Scene ii that Hamlet says as Act Two opens?

(see the answer keys)

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