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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The ghost appears to Horatio and his companions in Act 1, Scene 1, but something seems to scare it into disappearing. What causes it to disappear?
(a) When Horatio talks to it.
(b) When the trumpets sound.
(c) When the sun comes up.
(d) When the cock crows.

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

3. When the audience first sees Claudius, he gives a speech about the current situation in Denmark and then speaks to Hamlet about his behavior. What does Claudius say to Hamlet at this early point in the play?
(a) He is too happy.
(b) He is too angry.
(c) He is too frightened.
(d) He is too sad.

4. After Laertes has left in Act 1, Scene 3, Polonius talks to Ophelia about her romance. What does Polonius tell her?
(a) Do not go to bed with him.
(b) Ask him to marry you.
(c) Do not trust his promises of love.
(d) Make sure he does not hurt you.

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

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

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

8. Who is Ophelia in love with?
(a) Polonius.
(b) Laertes.
(c) Horatio.
(d) Hamlet.

9. After Claudius and Polonius watch Hamlet interact with Ophelia in Act 3, Scene 1, what does Claudius say about Hamlet's behavior?
(a) He does not think Hamlet is crazy because of love for Ophelia.
(b) He is suspicious that Hamlet is not really crazy.
(c) He is convinced Hamlet is crazy because of love for Ophelia.
(d) He is convinced that Hamlet needs to see a doctor.

10. At the end of Act 1, Scene 1, what does Horatio say he intends to do?
(a) Talk to a priest.
(b) Tell Prince Hamlet about the ghost.
(c) Talk to the king.
(d) Watch for the ghost on the next night.

11. What does Hamlet mean when he says "I will speak daggers to her, but use none."
(a) He will try to kill Gertrude.
(b) He will speak harshly and honestly to Gertrude, but will not hurt her.
(c) He will insult Ophelia when he sees her again.
(d) He will speak harshly and honestly to Ophelia, but will not hurt her.

12. When the ghost first speaks to Hamlet, how does it describe its experience?
(a) It is tortured and burned in a fire all the time.
(b) It walks at night and is frozen in a block of ice during the day.
(c) It walks at night and is tortured by day.
(d) It walks all the time, hoping someone will set it free.

13. After the ambassadors have left, what piece of writing does Polonius share with Claudius and Gertrude?
(a) A love letter from Hamlet to Ophelia.
(b) Hamlet's plan to kill Claudius.
(c) A letter from Hamlet to Fortinbras.
(d) A treaty between Norway and Poland.

14. In Act 1, Scene 5, what does the ghost ask Hamlet to do?
(a) Have a priest pray for its soul.
(b) Help the new king.
(c) Hire an exorcist.
(d) Get revenge.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. When he is giving Laertes advice, what does Polonius say about friends?

2. When Polonius tries to speak with Hamlet, does Polonius really believe Hamlet is crazy?

3. What is the weather like at the beginning of the play?

4. What does the ghost do to Hamlet in Act 1, Scene 4?

5. At the end of the first act, what does Hamlet warn his friends he might do?

(see the answer keys)

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