View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Hamlet enters about halfway through Act 3, Scene 3. When he comes in, what is Claudius doing?
(a) Sleeping.
(b) Talking to Polonius.
(c) Praying.
(d) Eating.

2. Hamlet says of Claudius: "He took my father grossly, full of bread; With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May." What does Hamlet mean by that?
(a) Claudius looks like Hamlet's father.
(b) Claudius killed Hamlet's father by poisoning him with a heavy meal.
(c) Claudius killed Hamlet's father before Hamlet's father could repent his sins.
(d) Claudius killed Hamlet's father when he was sleeping after a heavy meal.

3. 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) Listen to people, but do not talk very much.
(c) Let women do the talking; men should listen.
(d) Practice talking to strangers to build up your confidence.

4. After telling Ophelia to get to a nunnery, what does Hamlet say about marriage?
(a) Marriage is the best thing Ophelia can do with her life.
(b) We shall have no more marriage.
(c) Marriage is an old-fashioned institution.
(d) Marriage is better for women than for men.

5. What does Hamlet learn about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's reasons for visiting Elsinore?
(a) They were sent for by the king.
(b) They came to visit him.
(c) They came to see his father's funeral.
(d) They were sent for by Polonius.

6. Once Hamlet follows the ghost, what do Hamlet's friends decide to do?
(a) Tell the King about Hamlet's strange behavior.
(b) Follow Hamlet and the ghost.
(c) Get Hamlet to see a doctor.
(d) Leave Hamlet alone with the ghost.

7. What country did the late King go to battle against?
(a) France.
(b) Norway.
(c) Denmark.
(d) England.

8. 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) To perform "The Murder of Gonzago" and to add in a speech with new lines.
(b) Not to perform "The Murder of Gonzago" and to perform Hamlet's favorite play instead.
(c) To perform "The Murder of Gonzago" and to let Hamlet play a role in it.
(d) To perform both "The Murder of Gonzago" and "Priam and Hecuba" for the court.

9. Before he returns to school, what does Laertes tell Ophelia about her boyfriend?
(a) As a prince, Hamlet may not get to choose who he marries.
(b) Polonius is an abusive boyfriend.
(c) Hamlet just wants her to sleep with him.
(d) Horatio just wants her to sleep with him.

10. What does Polonius tell Laertes about borrowing money?
(a) Borrowing money is all right, but do not lend money.
(b) Borrowing and lending money is a good thing to do.
(c) Do not borrow or lend money.
(d) Do not borrow money, but lend money if you can.

11. Hamlet says "The time is out of joint: O cursed spite/ That ever I was born to set it right!" What does that mean?
(a) He wishes he did not have to do the things he expects to do.
(b) He wishes he was not born a prince.
(c) He cannot believe he has seen a ghost.
(d) He cannot believe what the ghost has told him.

12. Polonius gives Reynaldo very specific instructions about how to find the information he wants. What are those instructions?
(a) Lie about him if that helps bring out the truth.
(b) Ask his son's friends and teachers.
(c) Ask his son directly.
(d) Talk to the local police department.

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

14. What is the first part of the players' performance in Act 3, Scene 2?
(a) An opening scene that shows how much the king and queen love each other.
(b) A dumbshow, in which they do not speak.
(c) A welcoming speech by their sponsor, Prince Hamlet.
(d) A prologue, in which they summarize the upcoming play.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In Act 1, Scene 3, where is Laertes going?

2. During their first conversation, what does the ghost tell Hamlet about his mother?

3. After the play is performed, what does Polonius ask Hamlet to do?

4. Who is Claudius?

5. What is the King doing during Act 1, Scene 4?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 783 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample