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The Merchant of Venice Act 1 Quiz (Act I)

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare · 5 multiple-choice questions with answers · about 4 min

A free The Merchant of Venice Act 1 quiz with answers and explanations. Use it as a reading check after Act I, a homework quiz or quick revision — it covers Act I only, so there are no spoilers for later acts.

Spoiler-safe: covers Act I only.

Skills tested: Recall, Character, Inference · Difficulty: Easy, Standard, Challenge

All The Merchant of Venice quizzes

The Merchant of Venice Act 1 questions

The answers and an explanation for each question appear as you play, and on the answer-key page of the printout.

  1. Why does Bassanio need money from Antonio?
    To pay off a debt he owes to Shylock · To buy a ship to join Antonio's trade · To ransom his father from pirates · To woo the rich heiress Portia at Belmont
  2. How does Portia feel about her dead father's casket test?
    She trusts it to find her the richest man · She plans to cheat it for Bassanio's sake · She resents that she cannot choose for herself · She thinks it is a harmless family game
  3. What penalty does Shylock name if Antonio fails to repay the loan?
    Three times the sum in gold · A pound of Antonio's flesh · Antonio's ships and cargo · A year in a Venetian prison
  4. What grievance against Antonio does Shylock remind him of?
    Antonio has spat on him and called him a dog · Antonio has cheated him in business · Antonio stole his daughter away · Antonio reported him to the Duke
  5. Why does Antonio agree to such a dangerous bond?
    He secretly trusts Shylock as a friend · He hopes the bond will shame Shylock · He wants to test Bassanio's love · He is sure his ships will return in time
Act 2 quiz →

More The Merchant of Venice practice: all The Merchant of Venice quizzes · characters quiz · themes quiz · plot recall quiz · read The Merchant of Venice free

Original questions written for Pagine. Quotations are from the public-domain text.

Frequently asked questions

Is this The Merchant of Venice Act 1 quiz free?

Yes. All 5 questions are free with answers and explanations. Play online with instant feedback, or print it as a test with an answer key — no sign-up needed.

What does the The Merchant of Venice Act 1 quiz cover?

Only Act I of The Merchant of Venice: what happens, why characters act as they do, and what it shows about the play's big ideas. It tests recall, character, inference at easy, standard, challenge level.

Does it contain spoilers?

No. It only covers Act I, so it is safe to take as soon as you finish that part.

Can I use it with a class?

Yes. Print it with the answer key for a reading check, homework or revision lesson, or share the link so students can take it online.

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