The Tempest Reading between the lines Quiz
The Tempest by William Shakespeare · 6 multiple-choice questions with answers · about 5 min
Test your knowledge of The Tempest with 6 reading between the lines questions with answers and explanations — why things happen and what the text implies. Ideal for revision once you have read the whole play.
Why things happen and what the text implies. Drawn from the whole play — contains spoilers.
Skills tested: Inference · Difficulty: Standard, Challenge
The Tempest Reading between the lines questions
The answers and an explanation for each question appear as you play, and on the answer-key page of the printout.
- Why does Ariel serve Prospero, though he longs to be free?
Prospero freed him from a cloven pine · Prospero holds his mother captive · Ariel hopes to marry Miranda one day · Sycorax ordered Ariel to obey him
- Why does Caliban kneel to Stephano and offer to serve him?
Stephano promises him Miranda's hand · Trinculo tricks him with a magic charm · Caliban fears Stephano's sword · Stephano's wine makes him seem a god
- Why does Ariel, disguised as a harpy, snatch away the banquet?
To punish the sailors for causing the storm · To confront the 'three men of sin' with their crime · To stop Caliban from stealing all the food · To test whether old Gonzalo is truly loyal
- How does Prospero distract Stephano and Trinculo from their murder plan?
He hangs out fine clothes for them to steal · He sends them a barrel of fresh wine · He shows them a vision of Naples · He makes Caliban betray them
- Miranda calls the shipwrecked court a 'brave new world'. Why does Prospero answer, 'Tis new to thee'?
He knows how flawed these men really are · He is ashamed she has never left home · He fears she will prefer Naples to Milan · He does not recognise the visitors at all
- Prospero says of Caliban, 'this thing of darkness I acknowledge mine'. What might this admit?
That Caliban is his long-lost son · That he plans to take Caliban to Milan · That Caliban was right all along · Some responsibility for what Caliban has become
More The Tempest practice: all The Tempest quizzes · characters quiz · themes quiz · plot recall quiz · read The Tempest free
Original questions written for Pagine. Quotations are from the public-domain text.
Frequently asked questions
Is this The Tempest Reading between the lines quiz free?
Yes. All 6 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 Tempest Reading between the lines quiz cover?
6 reading between the lines questions drawn from every part of The Tempest. Why things happen and what the text implies. It tests inference at standard, challenge level.
Does it contain spoilers?
Yes — it draws on the whole play, including the ending.
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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