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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Once left alone on stage in Act 3, Scene 3, what does Cladius express guilt about?
(a) Hamlet going crazy.
(b) Marrying Gertrude.
(c) Killing his brother.
(d) Having Hamlet killed.

2. 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 sad.
(b) He is too frightened.
(c) He is too happy.
(d) He is too angry.

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

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

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

6. After watching the players give a speech about Hecuba and Priam, what does Hamlet say impresses him the most?
(a) How quickly they can learn new lines in a script.
(b) How much emotion they are able to summon up for a performance.
(c) How confident they are in their performances.
(d) How intelligent they are.

7. When Hamlet and his friends first see the ghost, what do Hamlet's friends tell him to do?
(a) Tell the king about the ghost.
(b) Go with the ghost.
(c) Send for a priest.
(d) Do not go with the ghost.

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

9. 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 cannot believe he has seen a ghost.
(b) He cannot believe what the ghost has told him.
(c) He wishes he did not have to do the things he expects to do.
(d) He wishes he was not born a prince.

10. In Act 2, Scene 1, what does Ophelia say about Hamlet's clothes?
(a) He was still dressed all in black.
(b) He was wearing his father's armor.
(c) His clothes were in disarray.
(d) He was wearing the shirt she embroidered for him.

11. What does Hamlet tell his friends about his meeting with the ghost?
(a) He pretends that he did not see a ghost.
(b) He says the ghost is a liar.
(c) He repeats the truth about the last king's death.
(d) He tells them nothing.

12. 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) Claudius wants Hamlet to sit nearby, but he prefers Ophelia.
(c) Getrude wants Hamlet to sit by her, but he prefers Ophelia.
(d) Ophelia wants Hamlet to sit by her, but he prefers Horatio.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Where is Elsinore in Act 1, Scene 1?

3. What does Hamlet learn about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's reasons for visiting Elsinore?

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

5. Polonius gives Reynaldo very specific instructions about how to find the information he wants. What are those instructions?

(see the answer keys)

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