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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where do Rosencrantz and Guilderstern finally ascertain that they are?
(a) In a stagecoach
(b) On the way home
(c) In a dungeon
(d) On a boat

2. What is Rosencrantz's reply when Guildenstern asks why they would want to leave?
(a) So they can be free
(b) So they know where they are
(c) So they get home before dark
(d) So they can tell their friends about the adventure

3. During rehearsal, what is it that the Player says the troupe does really well?
(a) Bawdy scenes
(b) Death scenes
(c) Love scenes
(d) Action scenes

4. How many corpses does the Player say the drama will have at the end?
(a) Eight
(b) Six
(c) A hundred
(d) Four

5. Why does Rosencrantz think he can leave?
(a) He says no one will miss them.
(b) He says they have permission to go.
(c) He says Hamlet doesn't want them there.
(d) He says they've been there long enough.

6. What does Rosencrantz ask Guildenstern about death?
(a) If he thinks death is like falling asleep for a while
(b) If he has ever thought of himself as dead, in a box with a lid on it
(c) If he is afraid to face death
(d) If he thinks he will never die

7. What does Guildenstern do with a dagger he takes from the Player?
(a) He cleans his nails.
(b) He cuts the Player's throat.
(c) He plunges it into the Player all the way to the hilt.
(d) He uses it to slice bread.

8. What is Rosencrantz's prophetic remark after Hamlet enters with the soldier?
(a) He says that "They will never be allowed to go home at this rate."
(b) He says that "Everything has been crazy all day."
(c) He says that "I think we will have them go with Hamlet."
(d) Rosencrantz remarks that "They will have us hanging about till we're dead."

9. Beside the two British Ambassadors, what characters from Shakespeare are on stage at the end of the play?
(a) Ophelia and Gertrude
(b) Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony
(c) Horatio and Fortinbras
(d) Othello and Iago

10. What is the Player's response when Guildenstern asks where he is going?
(a) The Player responds that he is going to find Hamlet.
(b) The Player tells him he is going to wash costumes.
(c) The Player answers that he is going to Denmark.
(d) The Player retorts that he can come and go as he pleases.

11. Who do the two dead spies on stage turn out to be?
(a) Claudius and Gertrude
(b) Alfred and the Player
(c) Hamlet and Ophelia
(d) Guildenstern and Rosencrantz

12. To shouts of "The King rises...Give o'er the play!" and cries for Lights, lights, lights!" how do the lights come up?
(a) As moonlight
(b) As late afternoon
(c) As twinkling candles
(d) As sunrise

13. Who is standing upstage and lights a lantern?
(a) The Player
(b) Alfred
(c) Claudius
(d) Hamlet

14. What does Rosencrantz answer when Claudius asks where Hamlet is?
(a) That he went to England.
(b) That he is with the Queen.
(c) That he is in the library.
(d) That he is under guard.

15. What is the new game Rosencrantz and Guildenstern play with a coin?
(a) Tossing the coin back and forth between them
(b) Seeing if they can make the coin stand on edge
(c) Balancing the coin on their noses
(d) Guessing which hand the coin is in

Short Answer Questions

1. What do they bicker about?

2. What does Rosencrantz say when Guildenstern wonders if they will ever return?

3. Why does Rosencrantz have a coin in both hands?

4. What amusing thing happens with the barrels?

5. What game do they play to occupy the time?

(see the answer keys)

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