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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. Why does Prospero tell the story of their past to Miranda?
(a) Because she wants to know where they came from.
(b) Because she wants to hear a story.
(c) Because she is concerned about the people on the ship.
(d) Because she has always asked him about it.

2. Caliban wanted to populate the island with
(a) Lizards.
(b) His children.
(c) Other spirits.
(d) Coconut trees.

3. Ariel lets the other ships return to Naples in order to
(a) Spare their lives.
(b) Preserve their secret.
(c) Tell everyone where Prospero is.
(d) Tell the kingdom the king is dead.

4. When Ferdinand sees Miranda for the first time, he believes she is a
(a) Mirage.
(b) Spirit.
(c) Nymph.
(d) Witch.

5. Miranda at first took pity on Caliban and tried to
(a) Teach him how to write.
(b) Teach him how to read.
(c) Teach him how to sing.
(d) Teach him how to speak.

Short Answer Questions

1. Prospero and Miranda were given provisions and books on the boat by

2. What is Prospero's reasoning for why Miranda believes that Ferdinand is the most beautiful man she has ever known?

3. When Act II, Scene II opens, what is Caliban doing?

4. Who is watching Ferdinand and Miranda from a distance in Act III, Scene I?

5. Alonso's son is

Short Essay Questions

1. In Act III, Scene I, what contrasts are shown between Ferdinand and Miranda?

2. What is the metaphorical significance of the play's title, "The Tempest"?

3. What is the metaphorical significance of the storm at sea in the exposition of the play?

4. During the storm, what can the audience already infer about Antonio's character and why?

5. What does the initial scene at sea foreshadow in the play?

6. How does the audience learn about Caliban's past on the island?

7. How does Prospero's treatment of Caliban mirror Antonio's past treatment of Prospero?

8. What is the basic understanding of Antonio's and Prospero's history?

9. When Caliban starts babbling to Stephano and Trinculo about what he can show them on the island, what is Trinculo's initial thought?

10. How do you think Miranda's and Ferdinand's union can positively affect Prospero?

(see the answer keys)

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