View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What convinces Lorenzo to change his plans on the night of the masquerade?

2. Which casket does the guest at Belmont choose while Bassanio is sailing there?

3. What will the correct suitor find inside the correct item in order to win Portia's hand in marriage?

4. What does Lorenzo say Shylock's only way to Heaven will be?

5. What is Shylock's daughter most ashamed of?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Shylock react when he hears that Launcelot has chosen to find new employment with Bassanio?

2. Why does Gratiano decide to not attend the masquerade he has been looking forward to?

3. What do the inscriptions on each of the caskets say?

4. Why does Shylock say it is so brave of Antonio to guarantee a loan for Bassanio at this time?

5. What do the men discussing the masquerade say they need for the ball?

6. What does Jessica ask Launcelot to do before he leaves Venice?

7. What must a suitor do in order to win Portia's hand in marriage?

8. How has Portia felt about some of her past suitors?

9. How does Antonio feel at the beginning of the play and why?

10. How does Jessica look when she arrives at the masquerade?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What were the inscriptions and contents of the three caskets and what significance do they play on the course of the plot?

Essay Topic 2

How is the theme of diversity shown in this play, and which characters are most affected by this?

Essay Topic 3

How does the relationship between Portia and Bassanio change throughout the course of the play and how do these changes affect the characters around them?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 686 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample