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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. What shocking news does the ghost deliver to Hamlet in Act 1, Scene 5?
(a) Laertes killed Hamlet's father.
(b) Ophelia killed Hamlet's father.
(c) Hamlet's mother killed Hamlet's father.
(d) Claudius killed Hamlet's father.

2. How does Hamlet react when he sees the ghost for the first time?
(a) He is frightened and runs away.
(b) He is angry and tries to attack it.
(c) He is upset and starts to cry.
(d) He is startled, but tries to talk to it.

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

4. Who does the ghost claim to be?
(a) Hamlet's grandfather.
(b) A tortured spirit.
(c) Hamlet's father.
(d) The ghost of kings of Denmark past.

5. When Hamlet and his friends first see the ghost, what do Hamlet's friends tell him to do?
(a) Tell the king about the ghost.
(b) Do not go with the ghost.
(c) Go with the ghost.
(d) Send for a priest.

Short Answer Questions

1. When the play shows a king being poisoned, how does the current king, Claudius, react?

2. At the end of Act 2, Scene 2, what does Hamlet reveal about his reasons for wanting the players to perform?

3. In Act 3, Scene 1, what does Hamlet tell Ophelia about his feelings for her?

4. When Polonius tries to speak with Hamlet, does Polonius really believe Hamlet is crazy?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Claudius claim he cannot seek forgiveness for his crimes?

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. Once alone after the play-within-a-play, Claudius bemoans his crimes and falls to his knees in prayer. But at the end of the scene, what does he say about his praying?

4. How does Claudius react to the play-within-a-play?

5. 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?

6. What is the point or theme of Hamlet's "To be or not to be" speech?

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

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

9. In Act 2, Scene 2, what play does Hamlet ask the players to perform and why?

10. Why does Hamlet not kill Claudius when he finds Claudius alone in Act 3?

(see the answer keys)

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