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Macbeth Acts 1-3

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 11mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Who (what) did Macbeth see at the banquet table?
a)
The tree witches laughing at him
b)
Banquo's Ghost
c)
Blood from the daggers in his wine cup
d)
The image of Duncan's beating heart
2.
Who is sentenced to death in Act I?
a)
Duncan
b)
The Thane of Cawdor
c)
Ross
d)
The Captain
3.
Macbeth most likely brings the bloody daggers to Lady Macbeth because he . . .
a)
needs to show how easy the deed was for him
b)
has to prove that he has murdered Duncan
c)
wants to frighten her for encouraging him
d)
feels distressed and shocked at his actions
4.
Malcom describes Cawdor's last moments before execution.  What is Duncan's reply?
a)
You should never turn your back, even on a friend.
b)
You shouldn't sympathize for one who has committed evil deeds
c)
You should always be ready for you never know when death will strike.
d)
You can't tell what is in a person's heart by looking at his face.
5.
What does Lady Macbeth say stopped her from killing Duncan?
a)
She believes Macbeth must do the murder
b)
The shriek of an owl frightened her
c)
Duncan reminds her of her father
d)
She fears the king's guards
6.
What is Lady Macbeth's plan for Duncan's murder?
a)
She will poison his food and it will look like a natural death
b)
She will drug the king's guards and Macbeth will then go into the king's room and kill him.
c)
They will bribe the guards and offer them money to kill the king.
d)
Macbeth's soldiers will come into the banquet disguised as robbers and they will commit the murder.
7.
What news does Ross bring to Macbeth in Act I?
a)
Lady Macbeth has had a son
b)
The Thane of Glamis has been killed
c)
Macbeth now holds the title of the Thane of Cawdor
d)
The army has just lost the battle with the Norwegians
8.
What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home?
a)
He shouldn't eat too much, because that would make him too sleepy to commit the murder quickly.
b)
He should let Banquo in on the plan so that he has more help
c)
He must learn to look innocent even when his heart is full of evil.
d)
This would not be a good time to murder Duncan.  They should wait a few days.
9.
Macbeth says, "Stars, hide your fires. Let not light see my black and deep desires." What are Macbeth's desires?
a)
He wants to go home to see Lady Macbeth
b)
He wants to raise the taxes in the lands he rules
c)
He is very tired.  He wants the stars to stop shining so he can sleep
d)
He wants to be king
10.
Who wrote The Tragedy of Macbeth?
a)
Henry Higgins
b)
William Shakespeare
c)
John Donne
d)
J. K. Rowling
11.
What do the witches predict in Act I scene 3 for Macbeth? For Banquo?
a)
Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and eventually king.  Banquo's descendants will be king, although he will not.
b)
Macbeth will be conqueror of Norway, Banquo will be king
c)
Macbeth will remain Thane of of Glamis, Banquo will be Thane of Cawdor, neither will ever be king.
d)
Macbeth will be king.  Banquo will be Thane of Glamis and Cawdor
12.
What is Macbeth's plan for killing Banquo and Fleance? Does it work?
a)
He has his soldiers attack them, Banquo is wounded but Fleance dies
b)
He poisons their meal and they both die
c)
He plans to kill them that night.  They find out and both escape
d)
He gets two convicted murderers to wait along the road and ambush them. Banquo is killed but Fleance escapes
13.

When Malcolm and Donalbain disappear, people assume that they

a)

believe themselves in danger.

b)

were involved in Duncan's death.

c)

have been murdered.

d)

are spreading the news.

14.

How does Lady Macbeth cover for Macbeth at the banquet?

a)

She pretends to be ill and convinces him to go to their chambers. She asks Macduff to entertain the guests.

b)

She says he is still grieving for Duncan. She gives him wine to quiet him, and she hosts the banquet.

c)

She laughs and says he is in high spirits. She encourages the others to make merry with her and Macbeth.

d)

She tells the guests he often has fits. When he really gets out of hand she sends the guests home.

15.
How does Lady Macbeth convince Macbeth to support her plan?
a)
She flatters him with compliments.
b)
She threatens to leave him.
c)
She ignores him and pouts.
d)
She challenges his manliness.
16.

What unnatural things do Ross and the Old Man mention have happened since Duncan's murder? (2.4)

a)

An mousing owl has killed a hawk

b)

Duncan's horses turned wild and broke from their stalls

c)

It is dark during the day, and light during the night

d)

All of the above

17.

What does Macbeth mean when he tells his wife that they "have scorched the snake, not killed it"?

a)

Macbeth cut a snake's head off, but the snake regenerated and came back to life.

b)

Macbeth means that even though Duncan is dead, they still have enemies to worry about and obstacles to face.

18.

In Act III Scene 3, the murderers kill Banquo, but this character escapes.

a)

Fleance

b)

Banquo

c)

Macbeth

d)

Macduff

19.

In Act III Scene 4, Shakespeare uses Banquo's ghost to appeal to what characteristic of his audience?

a)

Their obsession with the supernatural.

b)

Their preoccupation with class structure.

c)

Their interest in blood, gore, and violence.

d)

Their sadness; they miss Banquo's character!

20.
How has Macbeth changed between the beginning of Act I and the end of Act III?
a)
He has gained the respect and loyalty of his friends.
b)
He no longer hesitates to use betrayal to achieve his ends.
c)
He no longer doubts his ability to rule justly.
d)
He no longer regrets having killed King Duncan.