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

2. In Act 1, Scene 3, where is Laertes going?
(a) Back to college.
(b) Off to war.
(c) To live in another country.
(d) To go to a new school.

3. Polonius gives Laertes plenty of advice before Laertes leaves Elsinore. What does Polonius tell Laertes about talking and listening to people?
(a) Practice talking to strangers to build up your confidence.
(b) Let women do the talking; men should listen.
(c) Listen to people, but do not talk very much.
(d) Talk to people, but do not listen to them.

4. In Act 2, Scene 1, how does Ophelia describe Hamlet's behavior?
(a) He stared at her, then started to yell at her.
(b) He yelled at her but would not look at her.
(c) He stared at her but did not speak.
(d) He would not look at her and would not speak to her.

5. What is the real reason for the last king's death?
(a) Poison poured down his throat.
(b) A knife in the back.
(c) A heart attack.
(d) Poison poured in his ear.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Hamlet first sees the ghost, what does he call it?

2. The tone of the conversation between Hamlet and Ophelia in Act 3, Scene 1 changes abruptly when Ophelia does what?

3. During "The Mousetrap," Gertrude says, "The lady protests too much, methinks." What is she talking about?

4. Once left alone on stage in Act 3, Scene 3, what does Cladius express guilt about?

5. Hamlet enters about halfway through Act 3, Scene 3. When he comes in, what is Claudius doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Hamlet follows the ghost, what do his friends decide to do?

2. Before Laertes leaves Elsinore, Polonius gives him a lot of advice. What does Polonius say is the most important piece of advice he can give?

3. Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and why do they go to Elsinore?

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

5. Laertes and Polonius are both concerned about Ophelia's romance. In Act 1, Scene 3, what do they tell her?

6. In Act 2, Scene 1, how does Ophelia describe Hamlet's behavior?

7. When Hamlet rants about love and marriage to Ophelia, he is talking about more than just his own relationship with her. What else is Hamlet talking about?

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. When Hamlet meets Ophelia after the "To be or not to be" speech, he is polite or gentle with her at first. What happens to change his attitude? How does his attitude change? What does he say?

(see the answer keys)

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