Why Read Shakespeare

Which sentence states the main idea developed by the author’s comparison of Shakespeare’s works to music?

• “What had been annoying now instead strikes you as appealingly edgy.”

• “He gives you a serious headache the first time you try to understand him—and the second.”

• “But if you stick with him, you can expect a breakthrough. . . .”

• “Let me try to explain by comparing Shakespeare to music.”

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

In lines 30–46, the author supports his point about the difficulty of reading Shakespeare with evidence in the form of

• quotations.

• incidents.

• summaries.

• statistics.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

According to the author, how are Macbeth and the parable of the prodigal son similar?

• They have the same setting and theme.

• Both main characters are ambitious.

• Both works teach readers about themselves.

• They both are written to teach a lesson.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

The author uses the word integrity in "This integrity, when you understand what you feel and you hear with an understanding heart, is the mark of an educated person" (lines 122–124) to mean

• honesty.

• development.

• intelligence.

• wholeness.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

One effect that the author attributes to reading Shakespeare is

• increased awareness of the beauty and meaning in life.

• better communication techniques.

• overall improvement in one’s grades.

• greater ability to avoid life's stresses.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

What is the tone of the author in this argument?

• defensive

• encouraging

• pensive

• formal