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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After the ghost disappears, what does Bernardo say about the ghost's behavior?
(a) It looks like it is in pain.
(b) It looks like it wants to speak.
(c) It looks like it is crying.
(d) It looks like it wants to scare people.

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

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

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

5. What does Claudius say in Act 3, Scene 3 about his own thoughts and words?
(a) He says the right words, but they do not reach heaven because his thoughts are on earth.
(b) His words lie, but his thoughts tell the truth.
(c) He does not speak his thoughts.
(d) His words and thoughts are not enough to convince heaven to forgive him.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the public explanation of the last king's death?

2. When Hamlet first sees the ghost, what does he call it?

3. What time of day is it in Act 1, Scene 4?

4. After watching Hamlet and Ophelia together in Act 3, Scene 1, what does Claudius decide to do with Hamlet?

5. How does Hamlet react when he sees the ghost for the first time?

Short Essay Questions

1. After hearing Ophelia describe Hamlet's behavior in Act 2, Scene 1, what does Polonius decide is the cause of Hamlet's behavior and what does he decide to do about it?

2. Why does Hamlet not kill Claudius when he finds Claudius alone in Act 3?

3. Who does the ghost tell Hamlet NOT to seek revenge on?

4. After his first speech in the play, Claudius shifts from talking about the country to talking specifically about Hamlet. What does he say about Hamlet's grief? What does Gertrude say?

5. In Act 2, Scene 2, what play does Hamlet ask the players to perform and why?

6. Laertes and Polonius are both concerned about Ophelia's romance. In Act 1, Scene 3, what do they tell her?

7. How does Hamlet act towards Ophelia during the play-within-a-play?

8. What is the setting (time and place) of Act 1, Scene 4?

9. After talking to the ghost at the end of Act 1, what does Hamlet decide to do about his father's death?

10. In Act 1, Scene 2, how does Hamlet act toward Claudius and Gertrude? When he is left alone, what does he say about his feelings toward them?

(see the answer keys)

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