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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. As Hamlet and the others wait to see the ghost in Act 1, Scene 4, what do they hear in the distance?
(a) Men shouting and women screaming.
(b) Trumpets being blown and ordinance being fired.
(c) A cock crowing.
(d) Drunken singing.

2. When he is giving Laertes advice, what does Polonius say about friends?
(a) Good people always have lots of friends.
(b) Keep your good friends close to you.
(c) Do not worry about making friends.
(d) Good people rarely have any friends.

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

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

5. What time of day is it when the play starts?
(a) Noon.
(b) Late at night.
(c) Morning.
(d) After dinner.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Ophelia tell Laertes about his advice on her love life?

2. Who is Horatio?

3. On his way to see his mother in Act 3, Scene 3, Hamlet finds Claudius. What does Hamlet decide not to do in that scene?

4. At the start of the play, what are Francisco and Bernardo doing?

5. When Hamlet and his friends first see the ghost, what do Hamlet's friends tell him to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does the Ghost in Act 1, Scene 1 look like?

2. Hamlet says "O, that this too too solid flesh would melt...." This soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 2, is the first introduction of a theme that Hamlet will talk about repeatedly in the play. What does he talk about doing or wanting to do in this soliloquy?

3. In Act 2, Scene 1, how does Ophelia describe Hamlet's appearance?

4. After the play-within-a-play, Claudius meets with Hamlet's old friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern loyal to? How can you tell?

5. In Act 3, Claudius becomes convinced that Hamlet is insane. What does he decide to do with Hamlet?

6. At the end of Act 1, Scene 5, what does Hamlet tell his friends about his future behavior?

7. Early in the play, Laertes gives Ophelia advice about her love life. What does she say in response?

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

9. In Act 2, Scene 2, Polonius talks to Hamlet. After that conversation, does Polonius think Hamlet is crazy?

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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