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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Hamlet act after he has killed someone?
(a) He is relieved to have finally done something.
(b) He is sorry for his crime.
(c) He is frightened that someone will now try to kill him.
(d) He does not seem sorry for his crime.

2. What additional method does Claudius suggest so that even if Hamlet wins the duel with Laertes, Hamlet will still die?
(a) Give Hamlet a poisoned drink.
(b) Hire an assassin to kill Hamlet.
(c) Challenge Hamlet to a duel himself.
(d) Arrest Hamlet for Polonius's death.

3. How does Gertrude die?
(a) Hamlet kills her with a poisoned sword.
(b) She kills herself by drowning.
(c) She drinks poisoned wine meant for Hamlet.
(d) Laertes kills her with a poisoned sword.

4. When Laertes returns after his father's death, what do the common people say about him?
(a) They want to kill him.
(b) They think he is to blame for the last king's death
(c) They think he should lead the armies against Norway.
(d) They want to make him king.

5. After he leaves the ship, how will Hamlet make his way back to Elsinore?
(a) Claudius must pay a ransom.
(b) Hamlet must escape from the pirates.
(c) Horatio must come get him.
(d) Ophelia must come get him.

6. While explaining Hamlet's crime to his courtiers, why does Claudius say he has to be gentle with Hamlet?
(a) He is crazy, but not a bad person.
(b) He is still a prince.
(c) The people of Denmark love him.
(d) Gertrude will be upset if they are hard on him.

7. When Claudius hears that Hamlet has killed someone, what does he say?
(a) Hamlet might have killed him.
(b) Hamlet needs to be sent to jail.
(c) Hamlet is a brave man.
(d) Hamlet needs to be executed.

8. Who is Gertrude truly loyal to?
(a) Herself.
(b) Hamlet.
(c) No one.
(d) Claudius.

9. Laertes comes up with another idea to make sure his duel with Hamlet will result in Hamlet's death. What is it?
(a) Damage Hamlet's armor so he is vulnerable.
(b) Force Hamlet to drink poison before the fight.
(c) Poison the tip of the sword.
(d) Fix Laertes's sword so it is sharp.

10. What are the Norwegian soldiers fighting over?
(a) A king's assassination.
(b) A little piece of worthless land.
(c) An insult.
(d) A country.

11. When he is asked where his first victim's body is, what does Hamlet do?
(a) He refuses to speak.
(b) He answers with a riddle.
(c) He laughs.
(d) He threatens to kill more people.

12. What is Hamlet's response when Claudius demands to know where the body of Hamlet's murdered victim is?
(a) The victim is not really dead and is eating supper in the castle.
(b) The victim is eating supper in Heaven.
(c) The worms are eating the victim for supper.
(d) The victim is eating supper in Hell.

13. When Hamlet and his mother finally talk in Gertrude's room, she says, "Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended." Hamlet responds, "Mother, you have my father much offended." Why is that dialogue important?
(a) Getrude is talking about Claudius, but Hamlet is talking about the dead king.
(b) Gertrude is using the dead king to force Hamlet to behave himself.
(c) Gertrude is talking about the dead king, but Hamlet is talking about Claudius.
(d) Hamlet has decided to act crazy even with his mother.

14. Hamlet finally tells Claudius how to find the body of his first victim: "But indeed, if you find him not within this month, you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby." How is Hamlet saying that they might find the body?
(a) Wait a month and you will smell where it is.
(b) Climb the stairs and you will see the body in the lobby.
(c) Wait a month till the ground thaws and the grave will be revealed.
(d) The body is waiting on the lobby stairs.

15. Claudius tells Laertes there are two reasons why he has not ordered Hamlet killed. What are those reasons?
(a) Because Gertrude loves him and Ophelia might kill herself if he is killed.
(b) Because Gertrude loves him and the common people love him.
(c) Because Hamlet is heir to the throne and Gertrude loves him.
(d) Because the common people love him and Fortinbras might attack if he is killed.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Hamlet kill in his mother's room?

2. After the murder, Claudius tells Hamlet to leave right away. Where should Hamlet go?

3. How does Laertes die?

4. Who is "poor Yorick"?

5. What does Polonius tell Gertrude to do in Act 3, Scene 4 regarding Hamlet?

(see the answer keys)

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