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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Polonius gives Laertes plenty of advice before Laertes leaves Elsinore. What does Polonius tell Laertes about talking and listening to people?
(a) Talk to people, but do not listen to them.
(b) Let women do the talking; men should listen.
(c) Practice talking to strangers to build up your confidence.
(d) Listen to people, but do not talk very much.

2. What was Ophelia doing when she was frightened by Hamlet in Act 2, Scene 1?
(a) Eating.
(b) Sleeping.
(c) Reading.
(d) Sewing.

3. At the beginning of Act 2, what does Polonius ask Reynaldo to find out?
(a) Find out if his son is getting enough to eat.
(b) Find out how his son is doing in school.
(c) Find out if his son has a girlfriend.
(d) Find out if his son is behaving appropriately.

4. Where is Elsinore in Act 1, Scene 1?
(a) England.
(b) Denmark.
(c) Italy.
(d) France.

5. In Act 1, Scene 1, why does Marcellus bring Horatio to talk to Francisco and Bernardo?
(a) To confirm what they have seen.
(b) To cover for them while they take a break.
(c) To tell them the latest gossip about Hamlet.
(d) To show him his father's ghost.

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

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

8. As Hamlet and the others wait to see the ghost in Act 1, Scene 4, what do they hear in the distance?
(a) Drunken singing.
(b) Trumpets being blown and ordinance being fired.
(c) Men shouting and women screaming.
(d) A cock crowing.

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

10. When Claudius reacts to the play, what does Hamlet say in response?
(a) "For if the king like not the comedy, Why then, belike, he likes it not, perdy. "
(b) "Get me a fellowship in a cry of players."
(c) "It would cost you a groaning to take off my edge. "
(d) "What, frighted with false fire!"

11. What other "crime" has been committed against the last king?
(a) Laertes seduced his wife.
(b) Polonius stole from the state treasury.
(c) Claudius stole from the state treasury.
(d) Claudius seduced his wife.

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

13. After the play is performed, what does Polonius ask Hamlet to do?
(a) Ask the players to leave Elsinore.
(b) Go see the Queen.
(c) Go see Claudius.
(d) Go see Ophelia.

14. 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 has lost his mind.
(b) He has not changed at all. He's normal.
(c) He acts strangely, but does not seem crazy.
(d) He is just unhappy about his father's death.

15. The tone of the conversation between Hamlet and Ophelia in Act 3, Scene 1 changes abruptly when Ophelia does what?
(a) Kisses Hamlet.
(b) Tries to leave the room.
(c) Mentions her father.
(d) Gives back the letters and gifts Hamlet gave her.

Short Answer Questions

1. Hamlet says "The time is out of joint: O cursed spite/ That ever I was born to set it right!" What does that mean?

2. Why does Hamlet talk to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about a recorder?

3. During "The Mousetrap," Gertrude says, "The lady protests too much, methinks." What is she talking about?

4. What time of day is it when the play starts?

5. Hamlet makes an ominous statement about married people: "those that are married already, all but one, shall live." What does that mean and who is he talking about?

(see the answer keys)

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