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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is strange about where Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are throughout the entire play?
(a) They are either on the road or in the castle.
(b) They think they are in England.
(c) They move quickly from place to place.
(d) They are always in the same place and the action and characters come to them.

2. How many corpses does the Player say the drama will have at the end?
(a) Eight
(b) A hundred
(c) Four
(d) Six

3. After speaking with Hamlet, what is the condition of Guildenstern and Rosencrantz?
(a) They think they know the answer.
(b) They are satisfied.
(c) They are confused.
(d) They are happy.

4. What mime does Rosencrantz perform during the discussion of death?
(a) Banging on a coffin lid.
(b) Lying down in a coffin.
(c) Placing flowers on a grave.
(d) Marching in a funeral procession.

5. What does Claudius ask Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about Polonius?
(a) Who told them he was dead
(b) What they know about him
(c) Why did Hamlet kill him
(d) Where his body is

6. What does Rosencrantz demand of the troupe?
(a) That must provide an excellent performance at court, and may not present their usual smutty acts.
(b) That they use court language when they address Hamlet, Claudius, and Gertrude.
(c) That they must not mention having met them on the road to the court.
(d) That they clean their costumes before they perform at court.

7. What is Hamlet doing?
(a) Looking for Ophelia
(b) Carrying a bloody daggar
(c) Dragging the body of Polonius
(d) Reading a book

8. How does Hamlet slip away from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
(a) When they turn to see Claudius, he slips away quietly.
(b) When the lights go out, Hamlet disappears.
(c) When the troupe comes between them, Hamlet runs.
(d) When they bow low, he walks away and they do not see him.

9. Who are the last to die?
(a) The two captured pirates are thrown overboard.
(b) Hamlet and Ophelia drink poison and die in each other's arms.
(c) Hamlet and the Player swordfight and kill each other.
(d) The two remaining tragedians are dressed as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and are stabbed.

10. Who do the two dead spies on stage turn out to be?
(a) Alfred and the Player
(b) Guildenstern and Rosencrantz
(c) Hamlet and Ophelia
(d) Claudius and Gertrude

11. What amusing thing happens with the barrels?
(a) The barrels roll over and into the audience.
(b) The pirates get into the barrels and the troupe nails them inside.
(c) People pop out of different barrels than the ones they entered.
(d) The barrels break open and spills everyone onot the deck.

12. What happens to the troupe still dressed in their costumes?
(a) They join the audience.
(b) They walk off the stage.
(c) They all die in different ways.
(d) They drag Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to center stage.

13. What is Rosencrantz's reply when Guildenstern asks why they would want to leave?
(a) So they get home before dark
(b) So they can tell their friends about the adventure
(c) So they know where they are
(d) So they can be free

14. What is the Player's response when Guildenstern asks where he is going?
(a) The Player tells him he is going to wash costumes.
(b) The Player responds that he is going to find Hamlet.
(c) The Player retorts that he can come and go as he pleases.
(d) The Player answers that he is going to Denmark.

15. What do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern threaten to do to the Player?
(a) Dance on his grave
(b) Cut out his tongue
(c) Have him arrested
(d) Expose him for a fraud

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens when Rosencrantz kicks one of the large barrels?

2. What do the sounds in the background at the opening of Act III suggest?

3. What morbid questions does Rosencrantz ask Guildenstern about death?

4. To shouts of "The King rises...Give o'er the play!" and cries for Lights, lights, lights!" how do the lights come up?

5. Why does Guildenstern say they do not need to worry about what to say to the King?

(see the answer keys)

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