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MERCHANT OF VENICE ACT 1 SCENE 1 & 2

Total questions: 120

Worksheet time: 3580secs

Name
Class
Date
1.
Who said it?
In sooth, I know not why I am so sad. (1)
a)
Antonio
b)
Bassanio
c)
Gratiano
d)
Portia
2.

What are some of the reasons that Antonio's friends give him for being sad?

a)

Love

b)

Business Ventures

c)

Money

d)

No Food

3.

Where is Portia From?

a)

Florence

b)

Naples

c)

Belmont

d)

Rome

4.

Who does Bassanio need to borrow money from Act 1, Scene 1?

a)

Solanio

b)

Salarino

c)

Shylock

d)

Antonio

5.

In what time period does The Merchant of Venice take place?

a)

13th Century

b)

16th Century

c)

14th Century

d)

15th Century

6.

What theme does the below quote resemble?

"In Belmont is a lady richly left, And she is fair and—fairer than that word— Of wondrous virtues."

a)

Racism

b)

Reality vs. Dreams

c)

Friendship

d)

Wealth

7.

What theme does the below quote portray?

"To you, Antonio, I owe the most in money and in love, And from your love I have a warranty To unburden all my plots and purposes How to get clear of all the debts I owe."

a)

Love

b)

Friendship

c)

Wealth

d)

Money

8.

Who describes himself as a 'want-wit' in scene 1?

a)

Gratiano

b)

Antonio

c)

Bassanio

d)

Salerio

9.

Who thinks that Antonio might be in love?

(a)  

10.

Who says that Antonio is marvellously changed?

(a)  

11.

Who says, "I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano - A stage, where every man must play a part, and mine a sad one."

(a)  

12.

In contrast to Antonio, what part does Gratiano want to play?

(a)  

13.

Complete the quotation: "... a hot temper leaps o'er a cold (a)   "

14.

Nerissa thinks Portia's father was...

a)

Wise

b)

Demented

c)

Foolish

d)

Senile

15.

Where does the prince come from who "doth nothing but talk of his horse?"

(a)  

16.

What is the Count Palatine's favourite facial expression?

(a)  

17.

Who is described by Portia as "oddly suited?"

(a)  

18.

There are two different plots going on in Act 1. What are those two plots?

a)

Antonio lending money to Bassanio, and therefore needing a loan from Shylock.

b)

Portia and the three casket challenge set by her father to determine who she marries.

c)

A jester named Pocket sabotaging everybody.

d)

Bassanio planning to elope with Antonio.

19.

What mood is Antonio in at the beginning of Act 1?

a)

Angry

b)

Melancholic

c)

Happy

d)

Humorous

20.

“ How I caught it, found it, or came by it “ .....Antonio says. What does ‘it ‘refer to ?

a)

A ship

b)

A lost treasure

c)

Sadness

d)

An infection

21.

The petty traffickers are the ___________.

a)

Argosies

b)

Huge boats

c)

Small commercial boats

d)

None of the above

22.

What would remind Salarino of the harms winds could do to his ships ?

a)

The breeze

b)

The shallows

c)

Roaring waters

d)

His breath cooling his broth

23.

The sandy hour glass has been used in context to _________.

a)

explain how it would remind Salarino of the danger from hidden banks of sand at sea , on which his ships may be aground .

b)

explain how time flies by

c)

explain how it has been so long that he has heard from his ships .

d)

None of the above

24.

Antonio says ‘ My merchandise makes me not sad ‘ This is because ........

a)

his ventures are not in one bottom trusted

b)

his ventures are not trusted to one place

c)

his estate is not dependent upon the fortune of the present year

d)

All of the above

25.

“ You have too much respect upon the world .”What does Gratiano mean ?

a)

You are respected in the world .

b)

You respect others in the world .

c)

You have many anxious thoughts concerning worldly affairs

d)

None of the above

26.

Complete the following sentence ‘Let my liver rather ______ with wine than my heart cool with _________ __________.“

(a)  

27.

Antonio says , “ His reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff .” Who is being referred to here ?

a)

Salarino

b)

Lorenzo

c)

Salanio

d)

Gratiano

28.

Bassanio , “ In my school days , when I had lost one shaft ,I shot his fellow of the self same flight .” What does Bassanio seek of Antonio ?

a)

Arrows

b)

Loan for the first time

c)

Another loan

d)

Forgiveness for losing the arrows

29.

What are the qualities Bassanio speaks about when he describes about a lady in Belmont ?

a)

Her wealth

b)

Her fairness

c)

Wondrous virtues

d)

All of the above

30.

Who are referred as the Jasons?

a)

The suitors

b)

The legendary hero

c)

Bassanio

d)

None of the above

31.

What is the most striking theme of Act 1 Scene 1?

a)

Rivalry

b)

Friendship

c)

Malice

d)

Justice

32.

In Act, I scene 2, which character says, “my little body is aweary of this great world”?

a)

Solarino

b)

Jessica

c)

Portia

d)

Nerissa

33.

Which of the suitors that have arrived in Belmont does Portia say she could tolerate marrying?

a)

The Duke of Saxony’s nephew

b)

County Palatine

c)

Baron Falconbridge

d)

none of them

34.

Which character is not introduced in act 1 scene 1

a)

Bossanio

b)

Shylock

c)

Antonio

d)

Salanio

35.

Why is Antonio not worried about his wealth at the beginning of the play?

a)

He cares not for money.

b)

All of his wares are insured.

c)

He has more than enough money.

d)

His wares are on more than one ship.

36.

As a wealthy merchant, Antonio has his own money to lend to Bossanio.

a)

true

b)

false

37.

Bossanio wants a loan so that he can....

a)

put on a lavish wedding

b)

throw a huge dinner party for shylock

c)

travel to Belmont

d)

pay back his family after squandering his inheritance

38.

When the play begins, Antonio and Portia can best be described as:

a)

corrupt

b)

depressed

c)

happy

d)

ambiguous

39.

What aspect of Gratiano does Bossanio joke about after Gratiano has left?

a)

His small stature

b)

His empty speech

c)

His social status

d)

His physical appearance

40.

As the play opens, with whom does Antonio discuss his troubles?

a)

Bossanio and Gratiano

b)

Bossanio and Lorenzo

c)

Salarino and Bossanio

d)

Salarino and Solanio

41.

Which chest is NOT among the three that Portia's father uses for his test?

a)
b)
c)
d)
42.

What does Portia think is wrong with the prince from Naples?

a)

He is too tall.

b)

He only talks about shoes.

c)

He only talks about horses

d)

He has no money.

43.

What is Portia's problem with the young Lord Falconbridge from England?

a)

His nose is too big.

b)

He drinks too much.

c)

He never smiles

d)

He only speaks English.

44.

There are two different plots going on in Act 1. What are those two plots?

a)

Antonio lending money to Bassanio, and therefore needing a loan from Shylock.

b)

Portia and the three casket challenge set by her father to determine who she marries.

c)

A jester named Pocket sabotaging everybody.

d)

Bassanio planning to elope with Antonio.

45.

How is Bassanio related to Antonio?

a)

Bassanio is his best friend

b)

Bassanio is his uncle

c)

Bassanio is his brother

d)

Bassanio is his kinsman

46.

What is Antony concerned about at the beginning of the play?

a)

His merchandise

b)

His mother

c)

His melancholy

d)

A loan he just took out

47.

Who is the woman that Bassanio has fallen in love with?

a)

Portia

b)

Nerissa

c)

Jessica

d)

Cleopatra

48.

What did Portia's father do that she is complaining about?

a)

Made her move to another city

b)

Made a way of choosing her husband for her

c)

Won't let her marry anyone

d)

Told her she wasn't allowed to talk to Nerissa anymore

49.

What must Portia's suitors do to win her hand in marriage?

a)

Bury a gold casket for her

b)

Write her a song

c)

Choose the right casket in a test

d)

Move to another city with her

50.

What colors were the caskets that Portia's suitors had to choose?

a)

Gold

b)

Lead

c)

Silver

d)

Bronze

51.

Who is the Merchant of Venice?

a)

Antonio

b)

Bassanio

c)

Gratiano

d)

Shylock

52.

Shylock's daughter is

a)

Anne

b)

Jessica

c)

Nerissa

d)

Portia

53.

Why does Antonio say he is sad?

a)

Rainy days and Mondays

b)

Love

c)

His ships are at sea

d)

He doesn't know

54.

Bassanio already owes Antonio some money.

a)

No, he does not.

b)

Yes, he does.

55.

Who created the casket test to test Portia's suitors?

a)

Prince of Morocco

b)

The English baron

c)

Her father

d)

Bassanio

56.

Who is the official protagionist of The Merchant of Venice?

a)

Shylock

b)

Bassanio

c)

Antonio

d)

No one

e)

Portia

57.

What is NOT a complaint Portia made regarding her suitors?

a)

Only taking about their horse.

b)

Always talking about their exploits and achievements.

c)

Can't speak any language but their own.

d)

Being grim and serious all the time.

58.

Who is Antonio?

a)

the friend that is a debtor and is asking to borrow money

b)

the rich merchant

c)

the Jewish moneylender that lends money to another character

59.

Who is Bassanio?

a)

the friend that is a debtor and is asking to borrow money

b)

the rich merchant

c)

the Jewish moneylender that lends money to another character

60.

Who is Shylock?

a)

the friend that is a debtor and is asking to borrow money

b)

the rich merchant

c)

the Jewish moneylender the lends money to another character

61.

Why does Antonio help Bassanio?

a)

because Antonio owes him

b)

because Antonio loves Bassanio and wants to help him

c)

because Bassanio blackmailed him

62.

How does Bassanio plan to repay his debt?

a)

by stealing and using the money to pay his debts

b)

by marrying the rich Portia of Belmont

63.

Why is Portia so unhappy?

a)

because she cannot choose who she marries

b)

because she cannot choose how to spend her money

c)

because she loves Bassanio but cannot have him

64.

Shylock is a ...

a)

a businessman

b)

moneylender

c)

merchant

65.

What is Antonio's job?

a)

Banker

b)

Merchant

c)

Lawyer

d)

Playwright

66.

What genre is the play?

a)

Tragedy

b)

History

c)

Tragicomedy

d)

Comedy

67.

Why has Bassanio come to Antonio?

a)

He has lost his business

b)

He does not have enough money to woo his love

c)

He has got into a fight

d)

He is worried for Antonio

68.

Why can't Antonio lend Bassanio money?

a)

He doesn't trust him, as he has not paid him back

b)

He is now broke

c)

His money is tied up in his present business ventures

d)

Antonio owes other people money

69.

What does Antonio offer to do to help Bassanio in stead of lending him money?

a)

To guarantee any loan Bassanio can round up

b)

To speak to the bank for Bassanio

c)

To ask his brother is he can loan money to Bassanio

d)

To sell one of his ships

70.

How has Portia's father determined who she will marry?

a)

A competition to the death

b)

A skills test, where the suitor must take an exam

c)

A lottery, where the suitor must pick the correct box

d)

Portia may pick her own husband

71.

What source or sources do Salarino and Solanio suggest are the cause of Antonio's sadness?

a)

His antisemitism and cruelty

b)

His wisdom

c)

Commercial concerns and love

d)

Worries about reputation

72.

Antonio says ‘ My merchandise makes me not sad ‘ This is because ........

a)

his ventures are not in one bottom trusted

b)

his ventures are not trusted to one place

c)

his estate is not dependent upon the fortune of the present year

d)

All of the above

73.

Why does Antonio feel miserable?

a)

He worries about his cargo and ships.

b)

He is in love and have relationship problems.

c)

He is just a miserable person in general.

d)

He is worried about Bassanio.

74.

Who is Nerissa?

a)

Portia's friend

b)

The Lady of Belmont

c)

Portia's maid

d)

Portia's mother

75.

How many languages can Portia speak fluently?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

76.

What does Antonio compare life on this earth to?

a)

A living legend

b)

A book

c)

A dream

d)

A staged play

77.

What did one of Portia's suitors have too much fondness for?

a)

His horse

b)

His money

c)

His looks

d)

His lady in waiting

78.

How is Portia characterized in Act 1 Scene 2?

a)

Weak, hysterical, dependent

b)

Witty, funny, opinionated, independent

c)

Chubby, smart, fashionable

d)

Shy, dainty, intelligent

79.

Why did Portia and Nerissa review the suitors who have come to court Portia?

a)

To inform the audience. They described each suitor for the audience to visualize them.

b)

To persuade the audience. This would give watchers a chance to choose for Portia.

c)

To argue with the audience. This would strike a debate of which suitors is best for Portia.

d)

To entertain the audience. They were being stereotypical against each suitor which would have made the Elizabethan audience laugh.

80.

When was The Merchant of Venice written?

a)

Between 1596 – 1598

b)

Between 1600-1650

c)

Between 1696-1698

d)

None of the above

81.

In order to marry her, which casket must Portia's suitors choose?

a)

Gold

b)

Lead

c)

Stone

d)

Silver

82.

What is the missing word from Antonio’s famous lines? I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano - A ______, where every man must play a part, And mine a sad one.

a)

place

b)

house

c)

stage

d)

world

83.

Who speaks "an infinite deal of nothing"?

a)

Gratiano

b)

Bassanio

c)

Lorenzo

d)

Antonio

84.

Who is 'Janus'

a)

Greek God of Strength

b)

Greek God of doors

c)

Roman God of doors

d)

Roman God of wars

85.

Wealthy Andrew refers to...

a)

boats

b)

small ships

c)

a king

d)

a big ship

86.

What role does Gratiano prefer to play?

a)

The role of a king

b)

The role of a fool

c)

A sad role

d)

None of the above

87.

What popular belief did Elizabethans have about drinking wine?

a)

It warmed the liver

b)

It caused damage to the liver

c)

It caused death

d)

None of the above

88.

Who was Nestor ?

a)

An old and wise Roman General who fought in the Trojan War

b)

An old and wise Greek General who fought in the Trojan War

c)

An old man who prophesied

d)

A brave General

89.

According to Nerissa, Portia's father was

a)

a clever and selfish man.

b)

a humorous and humble man.

c)

a wise and a virtuous man.

90.

Who said this? “ If I had the money to compete with them, I feel sure I could win her love”.

a)

Gratiano

b)

Salarino

c)

Solanio

d)

Bassanio

91.

Which of the following characters appears as a naive person?

a)

Antonio

b)

Bassanio

c)

Portia

d)

Shylock

92.

The setting in which the story takes place is.............

a)

In Venice

b)

In Belmont, in the sixteenth century

c)

In the sixteenth century

d)

In Italy, in the sixteenth century

93.

Where was William Shakespeare born?

a)

Covent Garden- London

b)

Picadilly Circus- London

c)

Straton Upon Avon- London

d)

Cardigan - Wales

94.

The city of Venice was built...

a)

on an island.

b)

on many islands.

c)

on mainland.

95.

Who are the main Characters of this play?

a)

Salarino and Salanio; the Duke of Venice and Launcelot.

b)

Nerissa; Gratiano; Lorenzo and Jessica.

c)

Antonio; Shylock; Bassanio and Portia.

96.

Bassanio needed money...

a)

to gamble and earn some of his own.

b)

to buy himself a new house.

c)

to pay for the travel expenses to his lady loves house.

97.

Antonio couldn't lend Bassanio the money because...

a)

his money was invested on his ships that were yet to arrive.

b)

he was a terrible tradesman.

c)

he was saving for a new ship which was faster and bigger..

98.
To woo means to
a)
sound silly
b)
pursue a love interest
c)
stereotype someone
99.

William Shakespeare was an American writer.

a)

True

b)

False

100.

Antonio and Bassanio were good friends.

a)

False

b)

True

101.

Bassanio needs the money to help Portia.

a)

True

b)

False

102.

....................... is Portia's maid and advisor at the same time.

a)

Nerissa

b)

Jessica

c)

Grazino

103.

The events of the novel take place in...............

a)

London

b)

England

c)

Italy

d)

America

104.

An adjective that describes Antonio....

a)

Loyal

b)

Dishonest

c)

Liar

d)

Shy

105.

Bassanio was a ........................

a)

moneylender

b)

creditor

c)

spendthrift

d)

wise

106.
Who was William Shakespeare's wife?
a)
Judith Quiney
b)
Mary Hathaway
c)
Anne Hathaway
d)
Susanna
107.
When did William Shakespeare die?
a)
1616
b)
1600
c)
1652
d)
1610
108.
In which city did Shakespeare build his theatre?
a)
Venice
b)
Paris
c)
London
d)
Madrid
109.

What was the name of the theater Shakespeare founded?

a)

The Royal Shakespeare

b)

The Globe

c)

The Guild

d)

Shakespeare's Theater

110.
What reason does Antonio give for being sad in the opening scene of the play?
a)
He stands to lose a fortune in his present business ventures.
b)
He owes a fantastic sum of money to Shylock.
c)
He gives no reason.
d)
The woman he loves does not return his feelings.
111.

Why does Bassanio want money from Antonio?

a)

He has to repay his debts.

b)

He wants to woo a wealthy heiress.

c)

He needs to leave Venice immediately.

d)

He must pay his bond.

112.

Why is Portia not free to choose her husband?

a)

A match has been arranged since birth.

b)

She has disgraced her father.

c)

Her father's will requires a test for suitors.

d)

She chooses to live a chaste life.

113.

From what character flaw does Bassanio believe Gratanio suffers?

a)

lack of depth

b)

stinginess

c)

vanity

d)

mean-spiritedness

114.

Where does the prince come from who "doth nothing but talk of his horse?"

(a)  

115.

What is the Count Palatine's favourite facial expression?

(a)  

116.

What is NOT a central theme of the play?

a)

Love

b)

Religion

c)

Revenge

d)

Poverty

117.

What did Antonio trade in?

a)

Silks and pulses

b)

Silks and spices

c)

Spices and cotton

d)

Cloth and spices

118.

Who says that Antonio is in love?

a)

Salerio

b)

Solanio

c)

Lorenzo

d)

Gratiano

119.

Why does Antonio help Bassanio?

a)

because Antonio owes him

b)

because Antonio loves Bassanio and wants to help him

c)

because Bassanio blackmailed him

120.

Where is the story set?

a)

Venice

b)

Florence

c)

Belmont

d)

Venice & Belmont