Shakespeare England

How does the author best develop support for her topic?

• footnotes explaining key terms
• quotes from audience members
• specific examples for each subtopic
• using names of publishers and playwrights

Read these two statements.
   -He must have had the initial advantages of a strong body and a good voice.  
  -He must have had the initial advantages of being physically adept and verbally eloquent.
What effect does word choice have on the revised statement?

• Statement 1 has the effect of simplicity and clarity while Statement 2 is too wordy and difficulty to understand
• Statement 1 has a more simplified tone while Statement 2 has an elevated sense of language
• Statement 1 and Statement 2 both convey the same information in a similar tone and depth.
• Statement 1 is more verbose and difficult to understand while Statement 2 is less intimidating to the reader.

In which way does an Elizabethan actor differ most from the stereotype of a modern actor?

• the effectiveness of the writing
• the effort put forth by the audience
• the emotions conveyed through dialogue
• the excitement of the physical action

  What does the author accomplish by including paragraph 5 on the actors' need to be talented dancers?

• She describes the types of dances the actors had to learn.
• She details the training that goes into learning the dance steps.
• She explains that the dancing had to be perfect to impress the crowd.
• She stresses the technical abilities each actor had to have.

What is the author's main purpose in writing this selection?

• to compare Elizabethan actors to modern actors
• to define the art of Elizabethan costumes and set design
• to describe the many talents of a typical Elizabethan actor
• to explain the dangers of acting on the Elizabethan stage

Based on the context clues in paragraph 1, which word would BEST take the place of strenuous?

• long
• exhausting
• entertaining
• halfhearted

Which of the following was the most important skill for Elizabethan actors? 

• voice
• physically fit
• flexible attitude
• capable dancer/fighter

How does the introduction support the meaning of the passage?

• The introduction builds suspense and makes the reader want to continue reading the rest of the passage.
• The introduction poses a problem that the reader will solve as they progress through the passage.
• The introduction states the initial argument for the difficulty of acting on the Shakespearean stage.
• The introduction emphasizes the central challenges of Shakespearean acting that will be explored.

Read paragraph 2 from the passage.By including the phrase, "had an initial handicap that could only be overcome by intelligence and rigorous discipline," what does the author want to express to the reader?

• Shakespeare had a physical disability that made it more difficult for him to meet the rigors of the stage.
• Shakespeare started acting later in his life and was at a disadvantage because he was not on stage as a child.
• Shakespeare had a physical disability but overcame it easily because he was so intelligent and disciplined.
• Shakespeare had a fear of the stage because he began acting at a much older age than his contemporaries.

Which aspect of live theater is emphasized most in the last paragraph?

• the effectiveness of the writing
• the effort put forth by the audience
• the emotions conveyed through dialogue
• the excitement of the physical action