Shakespeare, Theatre, & History of the English Language Test (11/11/16)

Question 1

When was Shakespeare’s date of birth?

Answer 1

April 23, 1564 (we think)

Question 2

Where was Shakespeare born?

Answer 2

Stratford-Upon-Avon, England

Question 3

Who did Shakespeare Marry?

Answer 3

Ann Hathaway

Question 4

How many children did Shakespeare have?

Answer 4

Three: Susanna, Judith, and Hamnet

Question 5

What happened to Hamnet, and how did this influence Shakespeare?

Answer 5

Hamnet died at age 11, throwing Shakespeare into a downward spiral of depression. His works started to become dark and he distanced himself from his family.

Question 6

During what period of time do we have no record of Shakespeare’s life?

Answer 6

1585-1592

Question 7

Who was the ruler of England in the 1590s?

Answer 7

Queen Elizabeth I

Question 8

Why were performances banned in London?

Answer 8

The Bubonic Plague.

Question 9

What did the different colored flags indicate?

Answer 9

Red = history, Black = tragedy, White = comedy

Question 10

What was one of the names of Shakespeare’s acting troupe?

Answer 10

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men

Question 11

Who played women roles in plays?

Answer 11

Men, specifically boys ages 12-14.

Question 12

What is iambic pentameter, and what are two reasons it was used?

Answer 12

Iambic pentameter is a sound pattern consisting of 10 syllables. Two reasons it was used: 1. to help actors remember their lines, 2. make it more interesting for the audience.

Question 13

What are quartos?

Answer 13

Small books of published plays.

Question 14

What was the name of the “first folio” for Shakespeare?

Answer 14

Mr. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARES COMEDIES, HISTORIES, & TRAGEDIES.

Question 15

Which theatre burned down due to a cannon misfire during a performance?

Answer 15

The Globe Theatre

Question 16

What was the name of the first theatre?

Answer 16

The Theatre

Question 17

Which Jacobean theatre was the first indoor theatre?

Answer 17

The Blackfriar

Question 18

Which theatre was the first theatre built next to a body of water? Hint: next to The River Thames

Answer 18

The Rose

Question 19

What were costumes like during this time period?

Answer 19

Richly decorated and very ornate.

Question 20

What is the order of the English language, in terms of categorical names?

Answer 20

Old English, Middle English, and Modern English

Question 21

What is an example of Old English?

Answer 21

The original “Beowulf”

Question 22

What is an example of Middle English

Answer 22

The original “Canterbury Tales”

Question 23

What is an example of Modern English

Answer 23

Anything Shakespeare and “Harry Potter”

Question 24

Who were the three main Germanic Tribes who were trying to spread the English language?

Answer 24

Angles, Saxons, & Jutes

Question 25

Where did the three main Germanic Tribes invade and occupy?

Answer 25

England

Question 26

What was the noble language of England in the 5th and 6th centuries?

Answer 26

French

Question 27

Why was the Hundred Years War named the Hundred Years War, even though it was longer than 100 years?

Answer 27

At the time, there were not any numbers beyond 100 in the French language.

Question 28

What do linguists predict will happen to our current Modern English language in 200-300 years?

Answer 28

Our slice of Modern English will be named something else, and then the new, fourth category will inherit the name “Modern English”

Question 29

What is a dialect?

Answer 29

A particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group.

Question 30

What was the main distinction between Middle English and Modern English?

Answer 30

The great vowel shift.

Question 31

What years did Old English occur?

Answer 31

500-1100

Question 32

What years did Middle English occur?

Answer 32

Early - 1100-1250

Central - 1250-1400

Question 33

What years did Modern English occur?

Answer 33

1550-present