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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Hamlet ask Horatio to do during the play's performance?
(a) Watch Claudius and see if he reacts to the play.
(b) Watch Polonius and see if he reacts to the play.
(c) Help Hamlet kill Claudius as the play is performed.
(d) Watch Gertrude and see if she reacts to the play.

2. What specific thing does Hamlet determine Claudius must do before Hamlet can murder him?
(a) Stand trial for his crime so he can face public justice.
(b) Commit a sin so Hamlet can send his soul to hell.
(c) Confess his crime so the world will know about his guilt.
(d) Apologize to Hamlet for killing his father.

3. During "The Mousetrap," Gertrude says, "The lady protests too much, methinks." What is she talking about?
(a) Gertrude is speaking about her own claims of love for Claudius.
(b) Ophelia swearing her loyalty to Hamlet.
(c) The Player Queen swearing her loyalty to her first husband.
(d) The Player Queen swearing her loyalty to her second husband.

4. As they wait for the ghost, Hamlet describes the King's nightly tradition. What does Hamlet think about this tradition?
(a) It should help him be a good leader.
(b) It is something he should stop doing now that he is King.
(c) It is an old tradition that every king should follow.
(d) It makes the Danes look bad to other countries.

5. Claudius says his crime "hath the primal eldest curse upon't." What does he mean?
(a) Killing your oldest brother is an especially bad crime.
(b) A brother's murder is an especially bad crime.
(c) Killing the king is an especially bad crime.
(d) Stealing your brother's wife is an especially bad crime.

6. In Act 3, Scene 1, after they have had some time to talk to Hamlet, what do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern say about his behavior?
(a) He is just unhappy about his father's death.
(b) He acts strangely, but does not seem crazy.
(c) He has not changed at all. He's normal.
(d) He has lost his mind.

7. In Act 2, Scene 1, what does Ophelia say about the look on Hamlet's face?
(a) He looked like he had seen a ghost.
(b) He looked like he came out of Hell.
(c) He looked like he was ready to cry.
(d) He looked like he wanted to kiss her.

8. Ophelia comes to watch the play. Before the play begins, how does Hamlet act towards her?
(a) He ignores her and pretends he does not see her.
(b) He yells at her and tries to hit her.
(c) He flirts with her and makes suggestive remarks.
(d) He is friendly and apologizes for his earlier behavior.

9. In Act 3, Scene 1, what does Hamlet tell Ophelia about his feelings for her?
(a) He says he never loved her.
(b) He says he is still in love with her.
(c) He says both that he loved and he did not love her.
(d) He says he does not know if he ever loved her.

10. After listening to Ophelia's description of Hamlet, Polonius believes he has found the explanation for Hamlet's behavior. What does he decide to do next?
(a) Tell the king.
(b) Get Hamlet to see a doctor.
(c) Tell the queen.
(d) Talk to Hamlet himself.

11. Hamlet is delighted that the players, a group of traveling actors, are at Elsinore. He welcomes them and asks them for two favors. What are those two favors?
(a) Not to perform "The Murder of Gonzago" and to perform Hamlet's favorite play instead.
(b) To perform "The Murder of Gonzago" and to let Hamlet play a role in it.
(c) To perform "The Murder of Gonzago" and to add in a speech with new lines.
(d) To perform both "The Murder of Gonzago" and "Priam and Hecuba" for the court.

12. Who does the ghost claim to be?
(a) The ghost of kings of Denmark past.
(b) Hamlet's father.
(c) A tortured spirit.
(d) Hamlet's grandfather.

13. How many times does the ghost appear in Act 1, Scene 1?
(a) Four times.
(b) Once.
(c) Three times.
(d) Twice.

14. Early in the play, what country does Claudius send messengers to?
(a) France.
(b) Norway.
(c) England.
(d) Denmark.

15. Why does Hamlet talk to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about a recorder?
(a) Hamlet asks them to teach him how to play the recorder.
(b) Hamlet says they want to play him like a recorder and get information out of him.
(c) Hamlet says he wants to learn to play the recorder.
(d) Hamlet wants them to make the musicians stop playing the recorder.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Horatio describe the ghost to Hamlet?

2. After Claudius and Polonius watch Hamlet interact with Ophelia in Act 3, Scene 1, what does Claudius say about Hamlet's behavior?

3. Where does Act 1, Scene 4 take place?

4. What is the main idea of Hamlet's "To be or not to be" speech?

5. Who is Ophelia in love with?

(see the answer keys)

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