English Mid-Term Exam

Why is Macbeth at first unafraid when he finally meets Macduff on the battlefield?

He believes that he cannot be killed because the witches told him that he cannot be killed "by any man born of woman." He truly believes this, therefore he is unafraid.

As Macbeth waits for the signal from Lady Macbeth that the king's guards are asleep, what does he imagine he sees?

He sees a bloody dagger in his hand facing towards the kings room. Showing guilt in what Macbeth is about to do.

In the banquet scene, what causes Macbeth to behave strangely?

He sees the ghost of Banquo enter and sit in Macbeth's chair.

What directive does the Host give the travelers at the end of the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales?

He urges them to tell stories on the trip.

What can the reader infer most clearly about the Friar from these lines from the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales? For though a widow mightn't have a shoe,So pleasant was his holy how-d'ye-doHe got his farthing from her just the sameBefore he left, and so his income cameTo more than he laid out.

He uses people for money.

Which of the following quotations from the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales is the best example of direct characterization?

He was an honest worker, good and true....

What is the best reason to choose a project partner who is known to be diligent?

He will work hard and well on his tasks.

As the witches complete their brew, how do they know that someone is coming?

The Second Witch could sense it by the tingle of her thumbs

Which is the best definition of the Latin suffix -able in this context?Emilia hopes that her new sweater is washable.

capable of being

Which of these features appear in both the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales and "The Prologue From The Canterbury Tales: The Remix"? Choose three options

enjambment, rhyming couplets, a sing-song rhythm

Why is Lady Macduff mad at Macduff?

for fleeing and looking like a traitor

In the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales, which qualities of the Monk are most uncharacteristic of a typical monk? Choose three options.

his fur-lined sleeves, his stable of horses and his fine jewelry

In which of the following words does the Latin suffix -able most likely mean "worthy of being"?

lovable

Which of the following best describes the Nun (the Prioress) in the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales?

refined and sentimental

Which of the following ideas is expressed most clearly in the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales?

the infinite variety of human nature

How many syllables appear in each line of a heroic couplet?

10

Confirm your understanding of the text by writing a summary of Act iii.

Although he feels guilty after murdering the King, Macbeth feels that he must kill Banquo and his son. He hires two murderers to do the deed. Banquo is killed and Fleance frees, therefore escaping his murder. At Macbeth's banquet, the ghost of Banquo appears causing Macbeth to start acting strange. The guests grow concerned and confused for Macbeth and are eventually asked to leave by Lady Macbeth claiming he's going through one of his fits he's had since a boy. In the end of the Act, Lennox speaks with another Lord that he believes Fleance, Malcolm, and Donalbain did not kill their fathers. He states that Macbeth is a cruel and unfair ruler, and he grows suspicious of Macbeth.

Which couplet from the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales is an example of enjambment?

And she had little dogs she would be feeding / With roasted flesh, or milk, or fine white bread.

Confirm your understanding of the text by writing a summary of Act V.

In the start of Act V, a Gentlewoman and a Doctor are observing Lady Macbeth. The Gentlewoman called the doctor because of her strange behavior; she is seen walking around (still sleeping) and moving her hands as though she is washing them but her eyes are open. She confesses to things she should not know about, as well. Act V also shows the battle between Macbeth and the citizens of Scotland. He believes he cannot be killed by any man born of a woman, and kills Young Siward. Following this, Macbeth and Macduff begin to fight, which ultimately results in the killing and execution of Macbeth. In praise, Macduff raises Macbeth's head and everyone yells "Hail, King of Scotland!"

What does Lady Macbeth reveal to the Gentlewoman and Doctor after her sleepwalking?

Lady Macbeth reveals her guilt to the acts she has committed. On the outside she acts as if she has no remorse, but on the inside, her sleepwalking reveals that she definitely does and is unstable. She is seen excessively rubbing her hands as if she is washing them to try to rinse the acts away.

Confirm your understanding of Act IV by writing a summary.

Macbeth demands to know the meaning of this final vision, but the witches perform a mad dance and then vanish. Lennox enters and tells Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth resolves to send murderers to capture Macduff's castle and to kill Macduff's wife and children.

What do Macduff and Malcom resolve to do at the end of Act IV?

Malcolm resolves to use Macduff's anger against Macbeth to his advantage and have macduff kill Macbeth to avenge his wife and children and give the throne back to Malcolm by the end of Act IV.

Which of the following sentences best describes someone who is being discreet?

Michael closed his office door to take the call from Chandra.

What strange and unnatural things do Ross and the Old Man talk about in Scene iv?

Ross, a thane, walks outside the castle with an old man. They discuss the strange and ominous happenings of the past few days: it is daytime, but dark outside; last Tuesday, an owl killed a falcon; and Duncan's beautiful, well-trained horses behaved wildly and ate one another.

What does Lady Macbeth fear about her husband?

She fears that his kind nature will prevent him from being ruthless and cruel enough to kill the King and take the crown.

If an author can correctly be described as eminent, which of the following is most likely to be true?

She has published several distinguished books.

What do the following lines from the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales suggest most clearly about the woman from Bath?In all the parish not a dame dared stirTowards the altar steps in front of her,And if indeed they did, so wrath was sheAs to be quite put out of charity.

She is selfish and arrogant.

How is the murder of the king discovered?

The murder of the king is discovered because Macduff comes to the castle and is told to go wake King Duncan, when he goes to wake him he discovers him dead.

Confirm your understanding of the text by writing a summary of Act 1

The three witches speak prophecies to both Macbeth and Banquo. The witches hail Macbeth as Glamis and as Thane of Cawdor, which he is baffled by the second title because he has not heard of King Duncan's decision.

What three things do the witches predict for Macbeth and Banquo? What information does the messenger bring to Macbeth?

The witches predict that Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor and the King. They also say that Banquo's sons will be King. After speaking with the strange witches, Ross and Angus inform Macbeth and Banquo that Macbeth is the new Thane of Cawdor.

What brings the characters together in the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales?

They are making a religious journey to a cathedral.

In what part of Macbeth's plan do the two murderers succeed, and what part do they fail?

They killed Banquo, but Fleance ran away before they could kill him too.

What is the best summary of the following lines from the Prologue from The Canterbury Tales, which describe the Oxford Cleric?Whatever money from his friends he tookHe spent on learning or another bookAnd prayed for them most earnestly, returningThanks to them thus for paying for his learning.

Whatever money he borrowed from his friends he spent on his studies and books, and then he prayed earnestly for his friends as a way of showing his gratitude.