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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Hamlet first sees Laertes in the graveyard scene, what does Hamlet say about him?
(a) He is always mean to his sister.
(b) He is just like his father and not to be trusted.
(c) He is an arrogant, bossy man.
(d) He is a noble youth.

2. Where does Claudius want the body of Hamlet's first victim to be taken?
(a) To the police.
(b) To the chapel.
(c) To the graveyard.
(d) To the doctor.

3. When Claudius finds out Hamlet has killed someone, what is he most worried about?
(a) Whether Hamlet will try to kill.
(b) Whether Hamlet should stand trial.
(c) Whether a doctor can help Hamlet get better.
(d) Whether the murder will affect his power and ability to rule.

4. What happens between Laertes and Hamlet in the graveyard scene?
(a) Laertes tries to kill Hamlet.
(b) They shake hands over Ophelia's grave.
(c) Laertes blames Hamlet for his sister's death.
(d) They both jump into Ophelia's grave and get in a fight.

5. What does Polonius tell Gertrude to do in Act 3, Scene 4 regarding Hamlet?
(a) Make sure Hamlet knows that Polonius is listening to their conversation.
(b) Be stern with Hamlet about his behavior.
(c) Be kind to Hamlet and invite him to confide in her.
(d) Convince Hamlet to talk about Ophelia.

6. After reading the letters brought by the sailors in Act 4, Scene 6, what does Horatio say he wants to do?
(a) Go get Hamlet.
(b) Tell Claudius about Hamlet.
(c) Wait until Hamlet arrives in Elsinore.
(d) Tell Gertrude about Hamlet.

7. At the start of Act 4, Scene 4, the audience finally sees a character that has been talked about since the start of the play. Who is this character?
(a) Laertes.
(b) Bernardo.
(c) Fortinbras.
(d) Captain.

8. When Laertes returns after his father's death, what does he want?
(a) To visit with his sister.
(b) To talk to Hamlet.
(c) Revenge on the people responsible for his father's death.
(d) To take over the throne of Denmark.

9. When Hamlet visits his mother in her room in Act 3, Scene 4, he speaks very harshly to his mother. What makes him stop?
(a) Claudius enters the room.
(b) Getrude kills herself.
(c) The ghost appears.
(d) Ophelia enters the room.

10. What happens to Ophelia after her father's death?
(a) She wants to kill Hamlet.
(b) She blames Claudius for her father's death.
(c) She gets sick.
(d) She goes crazy.

11. What does Ophelia say about violets?
(a) Violets stand for remembrance.
(b) The violets died when her father died.
(c) Violets are her favorite flower.
(d) Violets stand for thoughts.

12. What happens to Horatio at the end of the play?
(a) He wants to kill himself, but Hamlet asks him to live.
(b) He gets poisoned by accident.
(c) He wants to kill himself, but Fortinbras stops him.
(d) He kills himself.

13. Laertes comes up with another idea to make sure his duel with Hamlet will result in Hamlet's death. What is it?
(a) Poison the tip of the sword.
(b) Fix Laertes's sword so it is sharp.
(c) Damage Hamlet's armor so he is vulnerable.
(d) Force Hamlet to drink poison before the fight.

14. The sailors from the pirate ships deliver letters to Elsinore. Who are the letters from?
(a) Hamlet.
(b) Gertrude.
(c) Laertes.
(d) Horatio.

15. What does Claudius ask Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do, after learning that Hamlet has committed murder?
(a) Find Hamlet so the guards can arrest him.
(b) Protect Ophelia from Hamlet.
(c) Protect Getrude from Hamlet.
(d) Get the body from Hamlet.

Short Answer Questions

1. The first time the audience sees Hamlet after he has killed someone, he says "Safely stowed." What does he mean?

2. At the end of Act 4, Scene 2, what does Hamlet agree to do?

3. Claudius suggests a duel between Laertes and Hamlet, but that type of duel usually is not deadly. What does Claudius suggest they do to injure Hamlet?

4. How does Hamlet manage to avoid his fate in England?

5. What additional method does Claudius suggest so that even if Hamlet wins the duel with Laertes, Hamlet will still die?

(see the answer keys)

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