ScholarScript

MACBETH

MCQ Test – Advanced (50 Questions)

1. The phrase “valour’s minion” used to describe Macbeth in the opening paragraph means he is (A) a servant who merely follows orders (B) a darling or favourite of courage (C) a soldier who despises war (D) a minion of the king’s court

2. The term “Bellona’s bridegroom” suggests Macbeth was (A) married to a woman named Bellona (B) like a husband to the Roman goddess of war, implying his martial prowess (C) a peace-loving nobleman (D) about to marry a foreign princess

3. The three witches are described as having “beards” and “withered skin”. This description serves to (A) make them appear comical and harmless (B) emphasise their unnatural and eerie nature (C) show they are ordinary old women (D) indicate they are messengers of the king

4. When the first witch hails Macbeth as “Thane of Glamis”, Macbeth is “scarcely startled” because (A) he already knew the witches would greet him (B) he was already expecting to inherit that title (C) the title was already his by right, so the greeting was not surprising (D) he thought the witches were joking

5. Macbeth has “no pretensions” to the title of Thane of Cawdor at the time of the witches’ greeting. This means he (A) did not desire any title (B) believed he had no claim to it and did not expect it (C) had refused the title earlier (D) thought Banquo deserved it more

6. Banquo asks the witches why they “kindled hope in the heart of his dearest friend” but had little to say to him. This shows Banquo’s (A) jealousy and resentment towards Macbeth (B) curiosity and a desire to understand his own fate (C) anger at being ignored (D) intention to report the witches to the king

7. The witches tell Banquo he shall be “lesser than Macbeth and greater, not so happy, but much happier.” This seeming paradox means (A) Banquo will be a happier man personally, though he will never be king (B) Banquo will become king after Macbeth dies (C) Banquo will suffer more than Macbeth (D) Banquo will be richer but less powerful

8. The immediate event that “miraculously” corresponded with the witches’ prediction was (A) the king’s arrival at Inverness (B) the conferral of the title of Thane of Cawdor upon Macbeth (C) the death of the previous Thane of Cawdor (D) the arrival of Ross and Angus with a message of surrender

9. After receiving the news of his new title, Macbeth says to Banquo, “Do you not hope that your children shall be the kings?” This indicates that (A) Macbeth is already contemplating the third prophecy seriously (B) he is merely making a light-hearted joke (C) he has already decided to murder Duncan (D) he wants to share the throne with Banquo’s family

10. Banquo warns that the witches might be “ministers of darkness” who tell small truths to betray them into “deeds of greatest consequence.” This warning reveals Banquo’s (A) ambition to seize power himself (B) moral clarity and suspicion of supernatural temptation (C) desire to discourage Macbeth so he can claim the throne (D) plan to inform Duncan about the prophecy

11. The extract states that Lady Macbeth “spurred on the reluctant purpose of Macbeth who felt compunction at the thoughts of blood.” The word “compunction” means (A) excitement (B) a feeling of guilt or moral unease (C) violent anger (D) indifference

12. Lady Macbeth is described as having developed “the art of camouflaging her treacherous purposes with smiles and charming etiquette.” This foreshadows (A) her later descent into madness and sleepwalking (B) the ability to deceive Duncan and his retinue (C) her skill as a warrior (D) her genuine affection for Duncan

13. The extract mentions that when Lady Macbeth approached the sleeping king, she saw something in his face that “resembled her own father.” This detail (A) shows her complete inhumanity (B) provides a moment of hesitation, revealing a remnant of filial feeling (C) proves she had no real intention to murder (D) indicates Duncan was her actual father

14. Macbeth’s soliloquy on the reasons against the murder includes the point that he was the king’s “host”, so his duty should be to (A) protect the king, not bear the dagger himself (B) entertain the king, not disturb his sleep (C) send the king away for safety (D) inform the guards immediately

15. In addition to being his host, Macbeth acknowledges Duncan as a king who was “clear of offence to his subjects” and “loving to his nobility.” This shows that Macbeth (A) hated the king (B) recognised Duncan’s just and merciful rule, which made the murder a graver sin (C) thought the king was weak and deserved to die (D) was lying to himself

16. When Macbeth hesitates to proceed with the murder, Lady Macbeth accuses him of “cowardice and fickleness”. Her method of persuasion primarily relies on (A) physical threats (B) questioning his manhood and resolve (C) promising him wealth (D) appealing to his religious faith

17. Lady Macbeth reveals the practicality of her plan by saying they will “lay the guilt of the deed on the drunken grooms.” This suggests she has (A) already drugged the grooms herself (B) considered the details of the murder beforehand (C) left everything to chance (D) no real intention of going through with the plot

18. Before entering Duncan’s chamber, Macbeth sees a dagger hanging in the air, with drops of blood on its tip and blade. He tries to grasp it but it fades. This dagger is (A) a real weapon left by Lady Macbeth (B) a hallucination created by his “hot and oppressed brain” (C) a trick played by the grooms (D) a ghost sent by the witches

19. Immediately after the murder, one groom laughs in his sleep and cries “Murder!” and the other says “God bless us!” and “Amen”. Macbeth’s inability to say “Amen” suggests (A) he had lost his voice from shouting (B) he felt cut off from divine grace and forgiveness (C) he did not hear the grooms properly (D) the grooms were mocking him

20. The voice that Macbeth hears crying, “Sleep no more; Macbeth murders sleep” indicates that (A) someone is really calling out from outside the castle (B) Macbeth will literally never sleep again (C) Macbeth’s guilty conscience has destroyed his inner peace and ability to rest (D) Lady Macbeth is playing a trick on him

21. After Macbeth returns with the daggers, Lady Macbeth “sent him to wash his hands of the blood” and herself stained the grooms’ cheeks. This shows Lady Macbeth is, at this moment, (A) more shaken than Macbeth (B) more practical and resolute in covering up the crime (C) remorseful (D) planning to confess

22. Malcolm fled to the English court and Donalbain to Ireland after the murder. Their flight (A) proved their guilt in the murder (B) was a plan to raise an army immediately (C) made them appear suspicious, helping Macbeth’s claim (D) was ordered by Macbeth

23. The extract says that after the murder, “the entire suspicion fell upon Macbeth.” However, it also says evidence was “sufficiently strong against the grooms”. What does this contradiction indicate? (A) The author made a mistake (B) Public opinion was split, but ultimately Macbeth was suspected despite the planted evidence (C) Macbeth confessed openly (D) Lady Macbeth betrayed her husband

24. Macbeth and his queen could not forget the prophecy that “the children of Banquo… would be the kings after him.” This caused them to feel that they had “defiled their hands with blood” only to (A) make Banquo king (B) place Banquo’s posterity on the throne (C) earn eternal damnation with no benefit (D) secure Duncan’s sons’ inheritance

25. At the banquet, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo sitting in his chair. None of the guests see it. This shows that (A) the ghost is an illusion conjured by the witches to frighten the guests (B) it is a product of Macbeth’s guilt-ridden mind (C) Banquo is actually alive and playing a trick (D) the guests are part of a conspiracy

26. Lady Macbeth dismisses the guests by telling them that Macbeth’s fit is a “disorder he is often troubled with.” This lie is intended to (A) protect their secret and explain his strange behaviour (B) announce that Macbeth is unfit to be king (C) draw sympathy from the nobles (D) make the guests believe Banquo is really a ghost

27. Fleance’s escape troubles Macbeth and his wife not only because he is a threat but because they now look upon him as (A) the rightful Thane of Cawdor (B) the father to a line of kings who would keep Banquo’s posterity on the throne (C) a spy for Malcolm (D) a future ally of Macduff

28. The witches’ cauldron includes ingredients like “the liver of a Jew” and “the finger of a dead child.” These details serve to (A) show the witches’ cooking skills (B) highlight the grotesque and unnatural nature of the dark magic (C) suggest the witches are healers (D) make the scene comical

29. The first apparition, an “armed head”, warns Macbeth to “Beware of the Thane of Fife.” The Thane of Fife is (A) Banquo (B) Macduff (C) Malcolm (D) Ross

30. The second apparition, a “bloody child”, tells Macbeth to “laugh and scorn at the power of man born naturally of a woman’s womb.” This prophecy gives Macbeth the false idea that (A) no human can ever kill him (B) he is immortal against all men, because all men are born of women (C) only a child can defeat him (D) he should surrender to Macduff

31. After hearing the second prophecy, Macbeth says he will “make assurance doubly sure” by killing Macduff. This reveals Macbeth’s (A) mercy and restraint (B) growing tyranny and determination to crush all potential threats (C) desire to follow the witches’ advice not to kill (D) plan to capture Macduff alive

32. The third apparition is “a crowned child with a tree in his hand” and says Macbeth will never be vanquished until Birnam wood comes to Dunsinane. The “crowned child” likely symbolises (A) Fleance (B) Malcolm, the rightful future king (C) Banquo’s ghost (D) Macduff’s son

33. Macbeth interprets the moving of Birnam wood as impossible because he thinks no one can “unfix the forest and move it from its earth-bound roots.” He therefore assumes he will (A) live the usual period of man’s life and not die violently (B) conquer England (C) be killed by a supernatural force (D) abdicate the throne peacefully

34. After the three apparitions, a show of eight kings passes, the last one being Banquo with a glass in his hand. Banquo “smiled at Macbeth” and pointed to the images. This vision (A) reassures Macbeth of his lineage (B) horrifies him by confirming that Banquo’s descendants will rule (C) shows Banquo offering Macbeth the crown (D) is a dream from which Macbeth wakes up laughing

35. The first news Macbeth receives after leaving the witches is that Macduff has fled to England. Stung with rage, Macbeth (A) orders Macduff’s capture but spares his family (B) brutally slaughters Macduff’s wife and children left in Scotland (C) sends a messenger for peace (D) kills himself

36. As a result of Macbeth’s “merciless activities”, the extract notes that his nobility (A) became more loyal (B) gradually alienated, many fleeing to join Malcolm and Macduff (C) crowned him emperor (D) threw a grand banquet in his honour

37. Macbeth begins to envy the dead Duncan because Duncan (A) had more money (B) now sleeps soundly in his grave, beyond the reach of treason, poison, domestic malice or foreign levies (C) was killed more honourably (D) will be avenged by angels

38. The extract states that Lady Macbeth “ultimately died” because she could not bear the remorse of guilt and began to suffer from “somnambulism.” The term “somnambulism” means (A) violent fits (B) sleepwalking (C) hallucinations of ghosts (D) fever

39. After the queen’s death, Macbeth is described as “careless of life and longed for death.” This is because he is (A) ill with an incurable disease (B) alone, burdened with guilt, and sees life as meaningless (C) planning to surrender to Malcolm (D) hiding in Birnam wood

40. Despite his despair, Macbeth’s “ancient courage” is roused by the approaching army, and he determines to “die with armour on his back.” This means he chooses to (A) commit suicide (B) fight and die as a warrior rather than surrender (C) hide in the castle (D) flee to Ireland

41. The messenger who reports the moving wood is pale and trembling. Macbeth first threatens to hang him alive on a tree till famine ends him, calling him “Liar”. This shows Macbeth’s (A) sense of humour (B) reliance on the literal interpretation of the prophecy and his violent reaction to doubt (C) kind treatment of messengers (D) complete trust in the messenger

42. The moving wood is actually (A) an illusion caused by the witches (B) soldiers commanded by Malcolm carrying boughs from Birnam wood to conceal their numbers (C) a storm that uprooted trees and pushed them towards the castle (D) a herd of animals moving through the forest

43. When Macduff confronts Macbeth, he calls him a “tyrant, murderer, hell-hound and a villain” specifically for (A) killing Duncan (B) slaughtering Macduff’s wife and innocent children (C) allying with the witches (D) burning Dunsinane

44. Macbeth tells Macduff, “I bear a charmed life which must not yield to a man born naturally of a woman.” He says this because he (A) has a magical shield (B) completely trusts the literal meaning of the second apparition’s words (C) wants to frighten Macduff with a bluff (D) has drunk a potion

45. Macduff declares he was “untimely taken out from his mother’s womb.” This revelation means Macduff was (A) born prematurely or via caesarean section, not in the ordinary manner of natural birth (B) a supernatural being (C) born years after his mother died (D) adopted

46. On hearing Macduff’s birth secret, Macbeth laments that one should never trust “the lying equivocations of witches and juggling spirits, who deceive us in words that have double meanings.” This realisation marks Macbeth’s (A) final acceptance of the truth of the prophecies’ dual interpretation (B) immediate surrender to Macduff (C) decision to kill himself before Macduff can strike (D) plan to escape

47. Macduff threatens to imprison Macbeth and exhibit him as a “monster” for the laity. Macbeth responds with “I will not live to kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet.” This shows Macbeth’s (A) pride and refusal to be humiliated, even in defeat (B) sudden love for Malcolm (C) desire to surrender with dignity (D) plan to beg for mercy later

48. Macbeth’s final action is described as “his valiance returned with despair and he threw upon Macduff.” This implies that (A) he cowardly tried to run (B) in a last surge of desperate courage, he attacked Macduff and fought to the death (C) he fell on his own sword (D) he asked Macduff to join him

49. Macduff severs Macbeth’s head and presents it to “the young and lawful new king”, who is (A) Donalbain (B) Fleance (C) Malcolm (D) Banquo’s ghost

50. Overall, the extract presents Macbeth's tragedy as a consequence of (A) fate alone, with no personal responsibility (B) unchecked ambition, moral downfall, and misplaced trust in deceptive prophecies (C) Lady Macbeth’s sole villainy (D) the witches’ ability to control his actions completely

ANSWER KEY

1. B 2. B 3. B 4. C 5. B 6. B 7. A 8. B 9. A 10. B 11. B 12. B 13. B 14. A 15. B 16. B 17. B 18. B 19. B 20. C 21. B 22. C 23. B 24. B 25. B 26. A 27. B 28. B 29. B 30. B 31. B 32. B 33. A 34. B 35. B 36. B 37. B 38. B 39. B 40. B 41. B 42. B 43. B 44. B 45. A 46. A 47. A 48. B 49. C 50. B