G10U5_STB_Shakespeare IV_160-162.fm Page 160 Thursday, March 13, 2008 8:00 PM
Name
Date
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Act IV, by William Shakespeare
Selection Test B
Critical Reading Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers
the question.
1. At the beginning of Act IV, what do Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus reveal?
A. They honor Caesar’s will by dividing his wealth among the people.
B. They can make difficult decisions for the sake of the common people.
C. They plan to share leadership roles in government with their loyal allies.
D. They will kill their own relatives in order to stay in power in Rome.
2. What is the conflict between Antony and Octavius in Act IV, Scene i, about?
A. how to defeat Brutus and Cassius
B. how to treat Lepidus
C. who will be crowned king
D. who will lead the army
3. If you read between the lines of Antony and Octavius’ conversation about Lepidus,
what can you infer about Antony’s character?
OCTAVIUS. You may do your will:
But he’s a tried and valiant soldier.
ANTONY. So is my horse, Octavius, and for that
I do appoint him store of provender. (Act IV, Scene i, ll. 28–30)
A.
B.
C.
D.
Antony
Antony
Antony
Antony
is
is
is
is
unintelligent.
trustworthy.
frightening.
unsentimental.
4. What does reading between the lines reveal about Brutus’ concerns in Act IV, Scene ii,
when he says the following lines after hearing about Cassius’ behavior?
Thou has described
A hot friend cooling. (Act IV, Scene ii, ll. 19–20)
A.
B.
C.
D.
Cassius may now regret his part in Caesar’s murder.
Cassius may now have deceived his wife.
Brutus may no longer be able to trust Cassius.
Brutus may no longer be able to trick Cassius.
5. Which of the following is a source of conflict between Cassius and Brutus?
A. Brutus believes that Cassius has taken bribes.
B. Brutus blames Cassius for the murder of Caesar.
C. Antony blames Brutus and Cassius for Caesar’s death.
D. Cassius believes that Portia has died in a suspicious way.
6. Which of the following best illustrates the change in Brutus and Cassius’ friendship?
A. Brutus admits he was ill-tempered with Cassius.
B. Brutus and Cassius argue and accuse each other.
C. Brutus asks Cassius not to speak of Portia’s death.
D. Cassius refuses to accompany Brutus to Philippi.
Unit 5 Resources: Drama
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
160
G10U5_STB_Shakespeare IV_160-162.fm Page 161 Thursday, March 13, 2008 8:00 PM
Name
Date
7. How are Brutus and Cassius characterized in Act IV, Scene iii?
A. wise, generous, sensible
B. timid, hesitant, fearful
C. gentle, respectful, understanding
D. suspicious, petty, quarrelsome
8. How can Brutus’ reaction to Portia’s death best be explained?
A. He had an increasingly distant relationship with her.
B. He is unwilling to be completely open with Cassius.
C. He is devoted to practicing the philosophy of Stoicism.
D. He experienced anger at her lack of support for the plot.
9. How do the temperaments of Brutus and Cassius differ?
A. Brutus is mean-spirited, while Cassius is apologetic.
B. Brutus is emotional, while Cassius is stoical.
C. Brutus is stoical, while Cassius is emotional.
D. Brutus is hot-tempered, while Cassius is calm.
10. What does the conflict between Brutus and Cassius suggest about their ability to face
the challenges that lie ahead of them?
A. Their anger will be a powerful force to help them defeat Antony.
B. If they cannot form a united front, they may not be able to defeat Antony.
C. They do not really want to succeed as leaders, so they probably will not.
D. Despite their fights, they are usually able to agree on a solid strategy.
11. Which of the following best summarizes Brutus’ argument in Act IV, Scene iii, in which
he urges Cassius to be honest?
A. We killed Caesar to end corruption; we do not have a right to be corrupt ourselves.
B. We killed Caesar because he was a tyrant; our tyranny invites a similar fate.
C. By killing Caesar we have gained great wealth; we do not need to extort money.
D. We pretended to kill Caesar to ensure justice, but we both know he was honest.
12. Why does Brutus want to go meet Antony’s troops at Philippi?
A. He is afraid that Cassius will betray him if they stay where they are.
B. He is afraid that his troops will desert him if they stay where they are.
C. He is afraid that Antony will gather new recruits if they wait for him.
D. He is afraid that he will lose courage if he waits for Antony to attack.
13. What does reading between the lines reveal about Cassius’ feelings toward Brutus in
the following line?
How scaped I killing when I crossed you so? (Act IV, Scene iii, l. 149)
A.
B.
C.
D.
contempt for his weakness
admiration for his self-control
dread of his fearsome power
hatred of his treacherous nature
Unit 5 Resources: Drama
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
161
G10U5_STB_Shakespeare IV_160-162.fm Page 162 Friday, April 17, 2009 7:32 PM
Name
Date
14. What is the best illustration of Brutus’ internal conflict?
A. his forgiveness of Cassius
C. his reaction to Caesar’s ghost
B. his reaction to his wife’s death
D. his decision to go to Philippi
15. What is the significance of the ghost’s promise to see Brutus at Philippi?
A. It is a bad omen for Brutus.
C. It is a good omen for Cassius.
B. It is a bad omen for Antony.
D. It is a good omen for Rome.
Vocabulary
16. Which of the following is an expression of mirth?
A. smiling at a joke
B. shaking someone’s hand
C. trembling in fear
D. sighing in disappointment
17. Which of the following would a person expecting chastisement most likely feel?
A. anticipation
B. dread
C. satisfaction
D. purity
18. Which of the following statements best describes a rash decision?
A. It is a decision that has not been considered for a long time.
B. It is a decision that is resented by many people who are affected by it.
C. It is a decision that is inadequate to respond to a particular problem.
D. It is a decision that is unjustified because it is based on personal reasons.
Essay
19. In a brief essay, discuss the challenges that Brutus faces in Act IV, and assess his prospects
for the future. Consider the following questions: What personal loss does he suffer? What
happens to his friendship with Cassius? What threats does he face in the days ahead? What
impact might the appearance of Caesar’s ghost have on him? How does he handle all these
difficult circumstances? What does the future seem to hold for him?
20. In an essay, compare and contrast the characters of Antony, Brutus, and Cassius. In what
ways do they differ from one another? What traits do they share? Give specific examples to
support your statements about each character.
21. In a brief essay, interpret and evaluate the following advice that Brutus gives to Cassius
about advancing to Philippi. What point is Brutus making? Do you think it is good advice
given the situation in Act IV? Give reasons to support your opinion.
There is a tide in the affairs of men / Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; / Omitted,
all the voyage of their life / Is bound in shallows and in miseries. / On such a full sea are we now
afloat, / And we must take the current when it serves, / Or lose our venture. (Act IV, Scene iii, ll.
217–223)
22. Thinking About the Big Question: To what extent does experience determine what we
perceive? In Act IV, Scene iii, of Julius Caesar, Brutus and Cassius argue about who is
more experienced and the better soldier. Up to now in the play, which of these two characters do you think has made better decisions? Are their perceptions based on experience or
reality? Why or why not? In an essay, state and discuss your position, supported by
evidence from the play.
Unit 5 Resources: Drama
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
162