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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the source of the sounds Rosencrantz had heard?
(a) Six "Tragedians" or traveling actors, musicians, and their leader
(b) Six travellers who claim they saw a unicorn
(c) Six milkmaids heading for the market
(d) Six men on white horses with bells

2. Grabbing hold of the Player angrily, how does Guildenstern excuse himself?
(a) He pretends to black out.
(b) He says he tripped on a rock in the road.
(c) He says he was merely testing the Player's reflexes.
(d) He reminds the Player that he had offered audience participation.

3. What strange comment does Rosencrantz make about questions?
(a) That questions always lead to more questions.
(b) That he remembers when there were no questions.
(c) That questions give him a headache.
(d) That he understands the questions but has no answers.

4. How many times does Rosencrantz say he has won the game?
(a) Eighty five
(b) Seventy nine
(c) Fifty six
(d) One hundred

5. What does Rosencrantz tell Guildenstern he would do if he lost that many times?
(a) Examine the coins
(b) Quit before he lost everything
(c) Draw his sword
(d) Keep playing until he started to win

6. What is Rosencrantz's observation about Hamlet?
(a) That the problem is more than Hamlet's father's death.
(b) That Hamlet is suffering from amnesia.
(c) That Hamlet just like to be the center of attention.
(d) That hamlet is just play acting.

7. Trying to determine what Rosencrantz wants to see, what does the Player mention not too subtly?
(a) Rapes are mentioned and he alludes to wives and "ravished virgins" and asks if he is getting warm.
(b) Adam and Eve in the Garden in their original costumes
(c) Great Tragedies and comedies they have performed before kings
(d) Bawdy barroom ballads acted out by the mimes as the musician splay and sing

8. What are Guildenstern's suggestions for him and Rosencrantz in this strange situation?
(a) Be irate and demand to go home.
(b) Be confident, get the answers, and go home.
(c) Be alert, tread carefully, and follow instructions.
(d) Be inquisitive and ask a lot of questions.

9. What indicates that Guildenstern may also be a bit confused?
(a) He asks if he is contradicting himself in his conversation.
(b) He asks if anything he says makes sense in his conversation.
(c) He forgets what he is saying in his conversation.
(d) He keeps repeating himself in his conversation.

10. How much does the Player say it will cost for them to perform a gory romance?
(a) A handful of coins
(b) A single coin
(c) A coin for each actor
(d) A small bag of coins

11. What is the Player's response when Rosencrantz asks if the two of them are enough for an audience?
(a) He says two is small for an audience but about average for voyeurs.
(b) The Player says it is all right if they pay extra for the show.
(c) The Player says they do not have time to put on a show right then.
(d) The Player says they will have to find more people to attend the show.

12. What happens when the troupe sees the coin?
(a) They dive for it.
(b) They spit on the coin.
(c) They laugh and turn to leave.
(d) They beg the Player to take it.

13. What is Alfred's response when Guildenstern suggests they could set a dramatic precedent?
(a) He asks what a precedent is.
(b) He starts dancing around.
(c) He begins to cry.
(d) He runs for his costume.

14. What does Guildenstern continue doing with the coin tosses?
(a) Using only the heaviest coins
(b) Saying a prayer before tossing them
(c) Trying different ways of tossing them
(d) Biting them before tossing them

15. Why does Rosencrantz's answer please Guildenstern?
(a) It tells him that Rosencrantz is hiding a secret.
(b) It tells him that no natural laws are at work at the moment.
(c) It tells him that he will soon start winning.
(d) It assures him that the law of self interest is still working.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Guildenstern see the way the game keeps going?

2. What is the fanciful conversation started by Guildenstern when Rosencrantz hears a sound.

3. How are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern identified in Stoppard's script?

4. What is Rosencrantz's emotional condition as a result of his encounters?

5. Leaving Claudius and Gertrude, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are met by which character?

(see the answer keys)

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