The Tempest, Act I - Comprehension

What causes Antonio and the other passengers to desert their ship in Act I of The Tempest?

• Prospero uses magic to create a storm and make the passengers believe the ship is breaking up.

• The Boatswain refuses to correct the course of the ship, and it runs aground on the island.

• Ariel sets the ship on fire, and the passengers must jump off it to save their lives.

• Ariel calls on Poseidon to sink the ship, causing all the passengers to swim for their lives.

According to Act I of The Tempest, why does Ariel willingly serve Prospero and carry out his commands?

• because he mistakenly believes Prospero is his father

• because Prospero uses magic to force his obedience

• because he knows Prospero’s history and pities him

• because Prospero rescued him from imprisonment

When Prospero and Miranda were first cast away, who helped them and how?

• Prospero’s brother, Antonio, by protecting them from the king’s wrath

• The royal counselor, Gonzalo, by stowing food, water, garments, and books aboard their small boat

• King Alonso, by allowing Prospero to go into exile rather than being hanged

• Ariel, by teaching Prospero and Miranda survival skills that were useful on the island

According to Act I of The Tempest, why have Prospero and Miranda turned against Caliban?

• because Caliban is malformed

• because Caliban tried to retake the island

• because Caliban is the child of a sorceress

• because Caliban attacked Miranda

According to Act I of The Tempest, which of the following events does Prospero bring about or plan to bring about? Choose three options.

• to achieve revenge against his brother Antonio

• to arrange a marriage between Ferdinand and Miranda

• to drown Antonio, Sebastian, and the other passengers

• to free Ariel permanently from his service

• to turn over his rule of the island to Ferdinand

Which of the following is the best definition of perfidious?

• serene and calm

• sorry and ashamed

• violent and aggressive

• untrustworthy and dishonest

Which of the following is the best example of treacherous behavior?

• helping someone recover

• betraying someone’s trust

• challenging someone’s statement

• accepting punishment for someone

What does it mean to usurp a leadership position?

• to seize it illegally or by force

• to inherit it by right of birth

• to pass it on to another person

• to win it fairly in a free election

In The Tempest, Act I, what does Caliban most likely mean when he tells Miranda, “You taught me language, and my profit on’t / Is, I know how to curse”?

• He means that Miranda did not teach him to read or write, so being able to speak is of no use to him.

• He means that Miranda was a poor and unskilled teacher because he could not learn to speak properly.

• He means that Miranda has harmed him because she has shown him there is a wider world beyond his reach.

• He means that Miranda has taught him to despise himself because he comes from a questionable background.

What does Ariel’s speech imply about the relationship between him and Prospero?

• a. Ariel knows that he can turn to Prospero for comfort.

• b. Ariel believes he can rely on Prospero’s sense of justice.

• c. Prospero hopes to adopt Ariel into his family as his heir.

• d. Prospero tolerates Ariel’s mischief and enjoys his company.