wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

The Tempest Act 1

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 13mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Where was Ariel when the spirit was discovered by Prospero?
a)
Held within the bark of tree.
b)
Stuck in a cage.
c)
Imprisoned within an orb.
d)
Floating amongst the clouds of a storm.
2.
Who did Prospero leave in charge of Milan while he was still the Duke?
a)
Prospero's wife, the Queen.
b)
Prospero's daughter, Miranda.
c)
Prospero's brother, Antonio.
d)
Prospero's cousin, Sebastien.
3.

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

a)

because he mistakenly believes Prospero is his father

b)

because Prospero uses magic to steal his willpower and force his obedience

c)

because he knows Prospero’s history and pities him

d)

because Prospero rescued him from imprisonment and could trap him again

4.
According to Act I of The Tempest, why have Prospero and Miranda turned against Caliban?
a)
because Caliban is malformed
b)
because Caliban tried to retake the island
c)
because Caliban is the child of a sorceress
d)
because Caliban attacked Miranda
5.

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

a)

to free Ariel permanently from his service

b)

to achieve revenge against his brother Antonio

c)

to arrange a marriage between Ferdinand and Miranda

d)

to repay Caliban for taking the island away from him

e)

to drown Antonio, Sebastian, and the other passengers

6.
Aristocrats and commoners mix freely in Act I of The Tempest, both on the island and on board ship. Which best describes the relations between the high-ranking aristocrats and the lower-ranking commoners?
a)
Commoners address aristocrats politely and respectfully.
b)
Aristocrats and commoners avoid contact with one another.
c)
Aristocrats express only contempt and scorn for commoners.
d)
Commoners speak their minds freely to aristocrats as if equals.
7.
Which best explains why Caliban obeys Prospero’s orders in Act I of The Tempest?
a)
because Caliban still hopes to win Miranda’s love
b)
because Caliban wants Prospero to leave the island
c)
because Caliban and Ariel have a secret plot against Prospero
d)
because Caliban knows that Prospero can use magic to force obedience
8.
Which of the following best characterizes Miranda as Shakespeare presents her in Act I of The Tempest?
a)
deceitful and sly
b)
frivolous and silly
c)
studious and bookish
d)
kind and compassionate
9.

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”?

a)

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

b)

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

c)

He means that Miranda has taught him useless skills, except that he can now insult his teachers.

d)

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

10.
A Shakespearean romance typically features dark themes with hints of violence. Which of the following best describes a dark and violent theme Shakespeare introduces in Act I of The Tempest?
a)
the wisdom acquired with experience
b)
the danger of uncontrolled passions
c)
the sweetness of love at first sight
d)
the permanence of familial loyalty
11.
What trait usually marks a Shakespearean comedy?
a)
There are many puns and jokes.
b)
It ends with a marriage.
c)
There is a clown other comic-relief character.
d)
Characters confront the darkness of human nature, but overcome it.
12.
How does Caliban feel about being on the island?He longs for his escape from the deserted island.
a)
He longs for his escape from the deserted island.
b)
He feels tortured by the loniless and lack of people.
c)
He is content with a land that is his own.
d)
He feels happy that others have come to the island.
13.

How did Prospero and Miranda survive the journey to the island?

a)

Prospero used his magic to sail their small boat to safety.

b)

Pure good luck had brought the boat drifting safely to the island.

c)

Gonzalo had kindly provided the boat with clothes, food, water, and supplies.

d)

The spirit Ariel turned into a gentle breeze and blew the boat to land.

14.

How does Prospero feel about his treatment of Caliban?

a)

He feels justified in how he treats him.

b)

He feels saddened that Caliban does not respect him.

c)

He doesn't care about how Caliban feels.

d)

He feels happy that he has power over someone as strong and powerful as Caliban.

15.

When Prospero says ithat he has more commands for Ariel, Ariel protests:

Remember, I have done thee worthy service,

Told thee no lies, made thee no mistakings, served

Without or grudge or grumblings. Thou didst promise

To bate me a full year.


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.

16.

SHAKESPEARE TRIVIA! Which Hollywood actress shares a name with Shakespeare's wife?

a)

Scarlett Johansen

b)

Brie Larson

c)

Anne Hathaway

d)

Elizabeth Olsen

e)

Cardi B

17.

SHAKESPEARE TRIVIA!: Which of the following words was not originally invented by Shakespeare for use in "The Tempest"?

a)

Eyeball

b)

Watchdog

c)

Leaky

d)

Headache

18.

SHAKESPEARE TRIVIA!: The scientific community has honored The Tempest in what fashion?

a)

The moons of Uranus are named after Tempest characters.

b)

A species of frogs discovered in Africa are named after Prospero and Miranda

c)

A series of rivers in South America are named after the magical characters: Ariel, Caliban, and Sycorax

d)

Many of the periodic elements are named after the spirits mentioned in the play.

19.

TRIVIA CHALLENGE! What story is being told through emoji?

a)

Romeo and Juliet

b)

Beauty and the Beast

c)

Feed

d)

The Odyssey

20.

TRIVIA CHALLENGE!: Which Disney animated film is based on a Shakespeare play?

a)

The Lion King

b)

Bambi

c)

Lady and the Tramp

d)

Zootopia