Worksheets"Shakespeare's Sister"
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 8mins
In her essay “Shakespeare’s Sister,” what prompts Virginia Woolf’s musings
about Shakespeare’s sister?
a bishop’s statement
something she reads in a play
an invitation to a speaking engagement
her admiration for the works of Shakespeare
In “Shakespeare’s Sister,” what does Woolf suggest was the main reason a
woman in Shakespeare’s day could never have written plays like
Shakespeare’s?
financial hardship
lack of ambition
social strictures
Which of these adjectives best describe the imaginary character of Judith
Shakespeare in “Shakespeare’s Sister”? Choose two options.
loyal
talented
obedient
kind-hearted
adventurous
Given the details in “Shakespeare’s Sister,” identify the statement that most
accurately reflects the situation of women in the England of Shakespeare’s
day.
Most women received an excellent classical education.
Many women were allowed to choose their husbands.
Few women could fulfill their artistic ambitions.
No woman would be permitted to rule the nation.
Which of these qualities would a dancer most need to display in order to be
described as a gifted ballerina?
honesty and integrity
skill and grace in her art
a ruthless drive for success
a strong need to be admired
If a man has a taste for opera, how does he most likely feel about it?
He finds it greatly appealing and enjoyable.
He likes it but does not understand it very well.
He believes that it shows elegance and refinement.
He sampled it once and decided that once was enough.
Which of these people most clearly displays a fancy for words?
someone who is nervous about speaking in public
someone who frequently works on crossword puzzles
someone who never says what he or she really means
someone who enjoys the finer things in life
Consider the account presented in “Shakespeare’s Sister.” How would
well-to-do parents in Shakespeare’s day most likely have treated a daughter’s
literary ambitions?
They would have encouraged those ambitions.
They would have tried to stop those ambitions.
They would have boasted about those ambitions.
In the scenario that Virginia Woolf presents in “Shakespeare’s Sister,” what is the main reason that Judith Shakespeare sets off for London?
She wants to avoid an arranged marriage.
She hopes to join her famous brother.
She is driven by her creative genius.
She is angry at her father.
According to the details in “Shakespeare’s Sister,” what happens to a young woman who runs off to London to become a playwright?
She needs to work twice as hard as a man.
She is able to find a generous patron.
She has to work as an actress first.
She comes to a tragic end.
Which statement best expresses the central claim of Woolf’s argument in
“Shakespeare’s Sister”?
Shakespeare’s sister would have written better plays than her brother
because she knew more about suffering.
Shakespeare’s sister probably would have been as adventurous and fun
loving as her brother.
No woman could have written Shakespeare’s plays because society
would have stifled her genius.
No woman who lived in Shakespeare’s time could have possessed
Shakespeare’s genius.
In her argument in “Shakespeare’s Sister,” what main differences does Woolf describe in the education of Shakespeare and his sister Judith? Choose two options.
Shakespeare attended school, but his sister did not.
Shakespeare had a private tutor, but his sister did not.
Shakespeare studied literature, but his sister never even learned to read.
Shakespeare studied Latin, but his sister studied only English grammar.
Shakespeare had access to many books, but his sister was discouraged
from reading.
In her argument in “Shakespeare’s Sister,” what main difference does Woolf
describe in the London experiences of Shakespeare and his sister Judith?
Shakespeare wins fame and fortune in London, but his sister’s London
experiences end in tragedy.
Shakespeare eventually becomes a playwright, but his sister can only
find work as an actress.
Shakespeare marries a wealthy London theatergoer, but his sister
marries a poor London actor-manager.
Shakespeare struggles to support himself, but his sister lives in comfort
with actor-manager Nick Greene.
Which of the following meanings of bore applies to its use in this sentence?
Although women had few rights, the mother who bore Shakespeare was a rich
heiress.
to weary others by being dull
the hollow part of a pipe
to drill a hole
gave birth to
Which of the following meanings of art applies to its use in this sentence?
The actress practiced her art in summer stock before performing on Broadway.
sly or cunning trickery
any branch of creative work
paintings, drawings, or other graphics
human creativity, as opposed to that of nature
