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

2. What does Ophelia say about violets?
(a) Violets stand for remembrance.
(b) Violets stand for thoughts.
(c) The violets died when her father died.
(d) Violets are her favorite flower.

3. 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.

4. Hamlet's attitude towards Rosencrantz and Guildenstern changes over the course of the play. By Act 4, Scene 2, what does he say about them?
(a) They are good, true friends.
(b) They are weak and foolish.
(c) They are dangerous.
(d) They are spies for Claudius.

5. Watching the troops attacking, Hamlet decides that he is less of a man than their leader. Why does he say that?
(a) Hamlet was never in the army, unlike the troops' leader.
(b) He has a better reason to fight than the leader, but he does not fight.
(c) The leader is a common man, while Hamlet is a prince.
(d) Hamlet has only killed one man and the leader has killed many.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the start of Act 4, Scene 4, the audience finally sees a character that has been talked about since the start of the play. Who is this character?

2. When Laertes returns after his father's death, what do the common people say about him?

3. As Laertes and Claudius discuss how to kill Hamlet, what news does Gertrude bring?

4. What are the Norwegian soldiers fighting over?

5. Laertes comes up with another idea to make sure his duel with Hamlet will result in Hamlet's death. What is it?

Short Essay Questions

1. After Polonius's death, who is sent to find Hamlet?

2. How does Hamlet suggest that Claudius and his servants might find Polonius's body?

3. Claudius tells Laertes that Hamlet is responsible for Polonius's death. Claudius says that there are two reasons why he cannot have Hamlet publicly arrested and punished. What are those two reasons?

4. After Polonius's death, what does Gertrude tell Claudius about Hamlet?

5. How does Hamlet avoid going to England?

6. When Claudius hears about Polonius's death, what is his first thought?

7. When Hamlet hears about Fortinbras and his attacks on Poland, what does he say about Fortinbras and about himself?

8. As Hamlet travels to the boat for England, what or who does Hamlet find on a plain in Denmark?

9. Who is the first person in Elsinore to find out that Hamlet is on his way back to Denmark instead of going to England? How does that person find out?

10. Whose burial does Hamlet witness in Act 5?

(see the answer keys)

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