The Shakespearean Mouse

1.  Part A – How does the Shakespearean Mouse feel about Henry?

• He admires him.

• He feels intimidated by him.

• C.  He hates him.

• D.  He feels superior to him. 

2.  Part B – Choose TWO sentences that BEST show the feeling in Part A.

• He is always laughing in that hyena voice of his.

• He also likes to pound his fists on the table.

• I think he is upset because of the role he was given in the play.  He has the role of Juliet.  Yup, you heard me right.

• Henry plays the beautiful lady, complete with makeup and long flowing hair.  The year is 1599, and only boys and men are actors.  Women are not allowed to perform in plays.   It is considered “unfitting” for them to do so.

• Henry is only 13 years old.  His voice is at a perfect pitch to play the role.

3.  Which is the dream of the Shakespearean mouse?

• A.  to play the role of Romeo

• B.  to hear robins singing a song

• C.  to go to Greenwich Palace

• D.  to meet Queen Elizabeth

4.  What is the purpose of a “pomander”?

• A.  to make the air smell better

• B.  to make a person look better

• C.  to help a person hear better

• D.  to help a stairway look better

 Select the TWO statements from the narrative that BEST reveal Queen Elizabeth’s character.

• William and Elizabeth greeted each other, and finally I was introduced.

• Elizabeth said she was delighted to meet me, as I made a gentlemanly bow. 

• She had joy, and even a little respect in her voice. 

• Elizabeth made her excuses and immediately went to her bedroom.

• Now I have a new goal, which is to date the Queen of England. 

6. 6. Select the theme of the passage.

• A.  Be careful what you wish for.

• B.  A mouse meets a queen.

• C.  Never give up on your dreams.

• D.  Realize your limitations.

7.  Select the genre of the passage.

• A.  non-fiction

• B.  historical fiction

• C.  science fiction

• D.  realistic fiction

8.  Why do you suppose the author decided to include the illustration in Paragraph 3?

• A.  so readers could visualize Queen Elizabeth’s home

• B.  so readers could imagine the wealth of Shakespeare

• C.  so readers could visualize the farmers in the pit and the royalty in the gallery

• D.  so readers could imagine where Henry went to practice for the play

9.  Read this sentence from Paragraph 5: 

I hear him practicing his lines, “Romeo, oh Romeo, Wherefore art thou Romeo?” 

Based on information from Paragraph 5, what is Juliet asking Romeo?

• A.  Where are you hiding?

• B.  Why are you my enemy? 

• C.  When will I see you again?

• D.  Who named you Romeo?