What seems to be Polonius’ opinion of Hamlet, as evidenced in his advice for Ophelia?

Hamlet just wants to use Ophelia for sex.

Hamlet would be a better leader than Claudius.

Hamlet will be a good choice of husband for Ophelia.

Hamlet cares too much about his studies and isn’t interested in Ophelia.

What is notable about Polonius saying to Laertes, “to thine own self be true”?

He had just given Laertes many bits of advice about what he should and should not do.

Claudius prevents Polonius from being himself, so he wants his son to be independent.

He was just saying it to make Hamlet jealous.

Laertes is known for never telling the truth.

It is revealed that Claudius killed King Hamlet in what way?

Claudius poured poison in King Hamlet’s ear.

Claudius put glass in King Hamlet’s food.

Claudius wounded King Hamlet in a fistfight and then pushed him off a boat into the ocean, where he drowned.

The true nature of Polonius’ character is emphasized when he sends Reynaldo to do what to Laertes?

Force him to break up with his girlfriend

Polonius initially draws the conclusion that Hamlet’s “madness” is the result of what cause?

His romantic and sexual obsession with Ophelia

His knowledge of Claudius’ guilt

Inheriting madness from Gertrude

Why, most likely, does Hamlet refer to Polonius as a “fishmonger”?

He’s making reference to a slang term that would suggest that Polonius is controlling Ophelia to further his own interests.

Hamlet’s losing his mind and doesn’t recognize people formerly familiar to him.

Polonius is ranked beneath him.

He’s making reference to a slang term that would suggest that Polonius is easily persuaded by others.

Why did Claudius most likely choose Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to be the ones who would spy on Hamlet?

Hamlet trusts them because they are old friends.

They gamble with Hamlet and know about his bad habits.

They told Hamlet they’re seeking employment within the court, so he expects them to be around.

They are working off debts to Claudius.

What is Hamlet’s ultimate goal when he hires actors to perform a play at the castle?

He wants Claudius to reveal his guilt.

He wants to Ophelia to recognize similarities between her own life and the play.

He wants Polonius to fall asleep.

He wants Gertrude to be embarrassed.

In his “To be, or not to be” soliloquy, what is not a reason that Hamlet gives for continuing to live?

We can always find something to laugh about.

Death is similar to sleep, and dreams can be disturbing, so maybe death is disturbing too.

We’re scared of what comes after death because it’s unknown.

What errand does Claudius decide to send Hamlet to do (so he can get him out of the way)?

Take care of some political responsibilities

Go to Norway to confront Fortinbras Jr.

Put flowers on King Hamlet’s grave

What is not a reason that Claudius gives in his soliloquy for why he killed King Hamlet?

He was afraid that King Hamlet would kill him.

He wanted the royal crown. He wanted the royal crown.

Why does Hamlet not kill Claudius after he rushes away from the play?

Hamlet is afraid of going to hell for taking revenge.

What remark does Hamlet make that suggests he knew it was Polonius behind the tapestry before he stabbed through it?

Hamlet yelled about a rat making the noise.

Hamlet sarcastically tells Gertrude to just be true to herself.

Hamlet says explicit comments about his relationship with Ophelia.

Hamlet says that he can’t remember the tapestry ever having feet.

Why does Hamlet back down from his tirade against Gertrude in her room?

The ghost of King Hamlet returns to advise him.

He feels guilty about hurting Gertrude’s feelings.

He is afraid that Polonius’ spirit will take revenge on him.

He fears that Claudius will have him executed.

After speaking with the captain in Fortinbras’s army, what conclusion does Hamlet reach about his revenge against Claudius?

He must pursue it for the honor.

He will let Claudius suffer with his guilt instead of taking revenge.

He will be doomed to hell if he pursues it.

How is Laertes’ response to his father’s death different from Hamlet’s reaction to his own father’s death?

Laertes attempts to remains calm and stoic.

Laertes and his father were not close, so it does not affect him.

Laertes blames the women for his father’s death.

How does Hamlet react to Ophelia’s death?

He says that he loved her very much.

He says that he never actually loved her.

He says that she was the most perfect person in Denmark.

He says that she was the root of all evil.

Why do we know that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern will be dead?

Hamlet altered an official letter to order their deaths.

Hamlet pushed them off the boat during the night.

Claudius had them beheaded once he received their reports.

Laertes plans to take revenge against anyone who failed to protect his father.

Hamlet Test

Quiz

•

English

•

11th - 12th Grade

•

Practice Problem

•

Medium

•

CCSS

RL.11-12.3, RL.8.3, RL.11-12.1

+28

Standards-aligned

Becky Harris

Used 787+ times

FREE Resource

About this resource

This assessment examines Shakespeare's *Hamlet*, focusing on the major themes, literary devices, character motivations, and plot developments that define this cornerstone work of English literature. Appropriate for grades 11-12, the quiz requires students to demonstrate sophisticated literary analysis skills, including the ability to identify themes versus motifs, understand dramatic irony and literary conventions of revenge tragedy, analyze character relationships and psychological motivations, and interpret Shakespeare's use of language and dramatic structure. Students need a thorough understanding of the play's complex web of deception, surveillance, and revenge, as well as knowledge of Elizabethan cultural context, particularly societal views on revenge and the afterlife. The questions demand close reading skills to distinguish between explicit plot events and their deeper symbolic meanings, requiring students to analyze how Shakespeare uses literary techniques like soliloquies, plays-within-plays, and shifts between verse and prose to develop character and advance themes. Created by Becky Harris, an English teacher in the US who teaches grades 11 and 12. This comprehensive assessment serves multiple instructional purposes, functioning effectively as a summative unit test, review activity, or formative assessment tool to gauge student comprehension before final examinations. The quiz can be administered as homework to reinforce reading assignments, used as a study guide for class discussions, or deployed as a warm-up activity to activate prior knowledge before deeper analytical work. Teachers can use individual question clusters to focus on specific literary elements—thematic analysis, character development, or dramatic structure—making it adaptable for differentiated instruction. This assessment aligns with Common Core standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.2 for theme analysis, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.3 for character analysis, and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.5 for understanding dramatic structure, while supporting the rigorous textual analysis expectations essential for college-preparatory English coursework.

35 questions

Show all answers

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Out of the following, what is not a notable
theme in the play?

Decay and Corruption

Sanity vs. Insanity

Ideal vs. Reality

Friendship vs. Romance

Action vs. Inaction

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Out of the following, what is not a notable
motif in the play?

Instruments

Weeds

Ears

Misogyny

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RI.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

During Shakespeare’s time, what was the
general societal belief about people who got revenge?

They were the most intelligent.

They were the best leaders.

They would become angels.

They would be condemned to hell.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

As a result of a prior conflict Denmark is now
in possession of Norway at the beginning of the play. It
was heard that which character was especially angry
about this situation and wanted revenge?

Laertes

Fortinbras

Osric

Polonius

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is not an element seen in a typical
revenge tragedy?

Ghost

Madness

Play within a play

Physical horrors

Weddings

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10. RL.11-12.10

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What does Horatio think about the sighting
of King Hamlet’s ghost?

It’s good to know that we can make contact

with the dead.

It means that he should question Gertrude.

It’s an omen of bad things to come.

It’s too frightening to view.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What does Claudius permit Laertes to do but
prevent Hamlet from doing?

Return to college

Have a girlfriend

Join the army

Travel around Europe

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

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Hamlet Test

35 questions

Out of the following, what is not a notabletheme in the play?

Out of the following, what is not a notablemotif in the play?

During Shakespeare’s time, what was thegeneral societal belief about people who got revenge?

As a result of a prior conflict Denmark is nowin possession of Norway at the beginning of the play. Itwas heard that which character was especially angryabout this situation and wanted revenge?

What is not an element seen in a typicalrevenge tragedy?

What does Horatio think about the sightingof King Hamlet’s ghost?

What does Claudius permit Laertes to do butprevent Hamlet from doing?

What does Claudius say about Hamlet’s griefover his father’s death?

What seems to be Polonius’ opinion ofHamlet, as evidenced in his advice for Ophelia?

What is notable about Polonius saying toLaertes, “to thine own self be true”?

Access all questions and much more by creating a free account

Similar Resources on Wayground

Popular Resources on Wayground

Discover more resources for English

Out of the following, what is not a notable
theme in the play?

Out of the following, what is not a notable
motif in the play?

During Shakespeare’s time, what was the
general societal belief about people who got revenge?

As a result of a prior conflict Denmark is now
in possession of Norway at the beginning of the play. It
was heard that which character was especially angry
about this situation and wanted revenge?

What is not an element seen in a typical
revenge tragedy?

What does Horatio think about the sighting
of King Hamlet’s ghost?

What does Claudius permit Laertes to do but
prevent Hamlet from doing?

What does Claudius say about Hamlet’s grief
over his father’s death?

What seems to be Polonius’ opinion of
Hamlet, as evidenced in his advice for Ophelia?

What is notable about Polonius saying to
Laertes, “to thine own self be true”?