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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the second suitor to Portia treat her while Bassanio is sailing there?

2. What is found inside the casket chosen by the second suitor to Portia while Bassanio is sailing there?

3. What does the letter that Portia gives to Antonio say?

4. Why is Shylock not able to search where he wants to for his missing daughter?

5. Who does Antonio plead for mercy from?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Shylock tell Solanio and Salarino he will do with the pound of flesh he gets from Antonio, and why?

2. What cheers Shylock while he is so upset about his daughter running away with a Christian?

3. What announcement does Gratiano make after Bassanio chooses the correct casket?

4. Why is Shylock denied the money that Antonio first offered him in lieu of the pound of flesh?

5. What does Lorenzo ask Jessica about Portia, and how does she respond?

6. What does Lorenzo praise Portia for after Bassanio leaves for Venice and how does Portia respond?

7. How does Antonio try to smooth things over when Portia hears that Bassanio gave his ring away?

8. What is found in the silver casket and how does the Prince respond to this?

9. What does Portia do when she finds out Bassanio gave his ring away, and how does Bassanio react to this?

10. Where does Shylock want to search for his daughter, and why is he not able to?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Valor was a theme of this play that is very important to many of the characters involved. Where does this theme of valor present itself and how do these occurrences affect the characters involved in those scenes?

Essay Topic 2

This play takes place in a few different settings. Describe some of these settings and how they affect the course of the plot. Why might Shakespeare have chosen these particular places?

Essay Topic 3

Portia and Nerissa both have similar relationships with their husbands, but there are some notable differences. Please compare and contrast these relationships and explain how they affected the other characters around them.

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This section contains 810 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample