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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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) Talk to Hamlet himself.
(b) Tell the king.
(c) Tell the queen.
(d) Get Hamlet to see a doctor.

2. Polonius asks Claudius to arrange for Hamlet to go somewhere after the play's performance. Where is Hamlet supposed to go?
(a) To see his mother.
(b) To see a doctor.
(c) To see Ophelia.
(d) To see Claudius.

3. How does Hamlet react when he sees the ghost for the first time?
(a) He is frightened and runs away.
(b) He is upset and starts to cry.
(c) He is startled, but tries to talk to it.
(d) He is angry and tries to attack it.

4. After his first meeting with the ghost, what does Hamlet ask his friends to do?
(a) Tell the world about the last king's death.
(b) Help him avenge the murder.
(c) Keep his secret.
(d) Help him break the news to his mother.

5. What does Polonius say is the most important thing for Laertes to remember as he leaves Elsinore?
(a) Do well in school.
(b) Do not borrow money.
(c) Do not talk too much.
(d) Be true to yourself.

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

7. When he is giving Laertes advice, what does Polonius say about friends?
(a) Keep your good friends close to you.
(b) Do not worry about making friends.
(c) Good people rarely have any friends.
(d) Good people always have lots of friends.

8. As Claudius speaks about his guilt in Act 3, Scene 3, what does he say about repenting?
(a) He cannot repent because he still has the crown and the queen -- the two things he did the murder for.
(b) He wants to repent, but cannot tell anyone what he has done.
(c) He is sure that heaven will forgive him for his crime.
(d) Only the weak repent.

9. What does Hamlet say when he first hears about the ghost?
(a) He wants to talk to it.
(b) He wants it to leave him alone.
(c) He does not believe it exists.
(d) He thinks Horatio is inventing it to distract him.

10. What does Ophelia tell Laertes about his advice on her love life?
(a) Your advice is very wise.
(b) Stop telling me what to do.
(c) You give bad advice.
(d) Make sure you follow your own advice.

11. During their first conversation, what does the ghost tell Hamlet about his mother?
(a) Protect her from the murderer.
(b) What happened is her fault.
(c) Do not blame her for what happened.
(d) She is a good woman.

12. Who is Horatio?
(a) Hamlet's friend.
(b) Ophelia's brother.
(c) The prince of Denmark.
(d) Hamlet's brother.

13. What does Claudius say in Act 3, Scene 3 about his own thoughts and words?
(a) His words and thoughts are not enough to convince heaven to forgive him.
(b) He does not speak his thoughts.
(c) He says the right words, but they do not reach heaven because his thoughts are on earth.
(d) His words lie, but his thoughts tell the truth.

14. Which two characters is Laertes related to?
(a) Claudius and Hamlet.
(b) Gertrude and Ophelia.
(c) Gertrude and Hamlet.
(d) Polonius and Ophelia.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In Act 2, Scene 1, how does Ophelia describe Hamlet's behavior?

2. After the play, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Claudius meet to discuss Hamlet. Polonius joins them. What does he tell Claudius?

3. After the play is performed, what do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ask Hamlet to do?

4. How many times does the ghost appear in Act 1, Scene 1?

5. What does Polonius ask Reynaldo to give to his son?

(see the answer keys)

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