Othello

1. Othello was a brave soldier in the service of-

1. Rome
2. Venice
3. Turkey
4. Cyprus

2. Othello’s race was that of a-

1. Roman
2. Venetian
3. Moor
4. Turk

3. Desdemona was the daughter of-

1. The Duke of Venice
2. Iago
3. Brabantio
4. Cassio

4. Brabantio accused Othello of using _______ to win Desdemona’s love.

1. money and jewels
2. spells and witchcraft
3. false promises
4. threats

5. Iago hated Othello because Othello had promoted _______ to the rank of lieutenant instead of him.

1. Roderigo
2. Montano
3. Cassio
4. Brabantio

6. The Venetian state sent Othello to command the army in-

1. Rome
2. Turkey
3. Cyprus
4. Egypt

7. How was the Turkish fleet defeated?

1. By Othello’s army
2. By a violent tempest
3. By the Venetian navy
4. They surrendered

8. Iago’s first step in his plot was to get Cassio-

1. to praise Desdemona
2. to fight with Roderigo
3. drunk and disgraced
4. to leave Cyprus

9. Iago advised the disgraced Cassio to seek help from-

1. Othello
2. The Duke
3. Desdemona
4. Emilia

10. The object that Iago used as the main “proof” of Desdemona’s infidelity was-

1. a letter
2. a ring
3. a handkerchief
4. a necklace

11. Who found Desdemona’s lost handkerchief?

1. Iago
2. Cassio
3. Roderigo
4. Emilia

12. Othello’s character is best described at the beginning as-

1. jealous and suspicious
2. calm, noble, and confident
3. cruel and arrogant
4. weak and foolish

13. Iago is often referred to as-

1. Brave Iago
2. Wise Iago
3. Honest Iago
4. Loyal Iago

14. Who does Cassio give the handkerchief to, asking her to copy its embroidery?

1. Desdemona
2. Emilia
3. Bianca
4. His mother

15. In his jealous rage, Othello orders Iago to kill-

1. Roderigo
2. Cassio
3. Brabantio
4. The Duke

16. How does Othello kill Desdemona?

1. He stabs her
2. He poisons her
3. He smothers her with a pillow
4. He hangs her

17. Who reveals Iago’s villainy at the end?

1. Cassio
2. Roderigo
3. Othello
4. Emilia

18. What happens to Iago at the end of the play?

1. He is executed immediately
2. He is taken away to be tortured and executed
3. He escapes
4. He kills himself

19. What does Othello do after realizing his mistake?

1. He flees from Cyprus
2. He begs for mercy
3. He kills himself with a dagger
4. He becomes a monk

20. Roderigo was a rich, foolish young man who was in love with-

1. Emilia
2. Bianca
3. Desdemona
4. A Venetian lady

21. The main tragic flaw in Othello’s character is-

1. ambition
2. pride
3. indecisiveness
4. jealousy

22. Who says, “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster”?

1. Desdemona
2. Emilia
3. Iago
4. Cassio

23. Why did Othello fall in love with Desdemona?

1. For her beauty
2. For her wealth
3. Because she pitied him for the dangers he had passed
4. Because her father approved

24. Who killed Roderigo?

1. Othello
2. Cassio
3. Iago
4. He survived

25. The play ‘Othello’ is a-

1. Comedy
2. Tragedy
3. History
4. Farce

26. Who becomes the governor of Cyprus at the end?

1. Iago
2. Lodovico
3. Montano
4. Cassio

27. What was embroidered on Desdemona’s handkerchief?

1. Birds
2. Flowers
3. Stars
4. Strawberries

28. Iago’s wife was-

1. Bianca
2. Desdemona
3. Emilia
4. A Venetian lady

29. Othello claimed the handkerchief was a gift from-

1. his mother
2. an Egyptian charmer
3. the Duke
4. a goddess

30. A central theme of the play is the conflict between-

1. love and hate
2. order and chaos
3. appearance and reality
4. all of the above

31. Why did Roderigo help Iago?

1. Because he hated Othello
2. Because Iago promised to help him win Desdemona
3. Because Iago paid him
4. Because he was Iago’s friend

32. Desdemona’s final words were to-

1. curse Othello
2. blame Iago
3. protect Othello by blaming herself
4. pray to God

33. What does Cassio lose when he is dismissed?

1. His money
2. His sword
3. His reputation
4. His house

34. The setting moves from Venice to Cyprus. This change signifies a move from-

1. peace to war
2. order to chaos
3. city to countryside
4. wealth to poverty

35. How does Iago create “proof” from a conversation between Cassio and himself?

1. He records it
2. He arranges for Othello to overhear it, misinterpreting the subject
3. He tells Desdemona about it
4. He writes it in a letter

36. Who says, “I am not what I am”?

1. Othello
2. Cassio
3. Iago
4. Desdemona

37. The Duke of Venice regarded Othello with-

1. suspicion
2. hatred
3. respect and admiration
4. indifference

38. What was Emilia’s reaction when she realized her role in Desdemona’s death?

1. She kept silent out of fear
2. She ran away
3. She bravely exposed Iago despite his threats
4. She blamed herself and committed suicide

39. Iago’s motive is often described as-

1. justified revenge
2. a desire for power
3. “motiveless malignity”
4. a misunderstanding

40. The story of Othello is a tale of-

1. a hero’s victory
2. a villain’s success
3. how jealousy and deceit can destroy love and nobility
4. a political conspiracy

41. Who is wounded in the scuffle arranged by Iago at night?

1. Othello
2. Iago
3. Cassio
4. Montano

42. What was Desdemona’s father’s final warning to Othello?

1. To treat her well
2. “She has deceived her father, and may thee”
3. To be aware of Iago
4. To return to Venice soon

43. Iago’s soliloquies are important because they-

1. provide comic relief
2. reveal his true thoughts and plans to the audience
3. summarize the plot
4. contain beautiful poetry

44. The play highlights the theme of racism through-

1. the war with the Turks
2. the characters’ prejudice against Othello’s skin colour
3. the social hierarchy in Venice
4. the treatment of women

45. Othello’s final speech before his death is a request to be remembered as-

1. a great soldier
2. a victim of fate
3. one who “loved not wisely but too well”
4. a cruel tyrant

46. Who kills Emilia?

1. Othello
2. Iago
3. Cassio
4. She kills herself

47. Desdemona is a character of-

1. cunning and deceit
2. purity, innocence, and loyalty
3. ambition and cruelty
4. weakness and cowardice

48. The tragedy of Othello is caused mainly by-

1. a misunderstanding
2. an act of God
3. Iago’s skillful manipulation and Othello’s own insecurities
4. a political war

49. Before killing her, Othello asks Desdemona if she has-

1. written a letter to her father
2. eaten her dinner
3. prayed for her sins
4. hidden Cassio

50. Who is the central villain of the play?

1. Othello
2. Roderigo
3. Brabantio
4. Iago

1. Othello was a brave soldier. He served the Venetian state. (Join into a complex sentence)

1. Othello was a brave soldier and he served the Venetian state.
2. Othello, who served the Venetian state, was a brave soldier.
3. Being a brave soldier, Othello served the Venetian state.
4. Othello served the Venetian state as a brave soldier.

2. Iago hated Othello. He plotted against him. (Join with ‘as’)

1. Iago hated Othello and plotted against him.
2. Hating Othello, Iago plotted against him.
3. As Iago hated Othello, he plotted against him.
4. Iago’s hatred led to his plot against Othello.

3. Desdemona died. She was innocent. (Join with ‘although’)

1. Desdemona died but she was innocent.
2. Despite her innocence, Desdemona died.
3. Although Desdemona was innocent, she died.
4. Desdemona was innocent, so she died.

4. Othello killed his wife. Later he repented. (Join into a complex sentence)

1. Othello killed his wife and later repented.
2. After Othello had killed his wife, he repented.
3. Killing his wife, Othello repented later.
4. Othello’s repentance came after he killed his wife.

5. Iago was a villain. Everyone thought him to be honest. (Join with ‘who’)

1. Iago was a villain whom everyone thought to be honest.
2. Iago was a villain but everyone thought him to be honest.
3. Iago, the villain, was thought to be honest.
4. Everyone thought Iago was honest, but he was a villain.

6. Brabantio accused Othello of witchcraft. (Change the voice)

1. Othello was accused of witchcraft by Brabantio.
2. Othello is accused of witchcraft by Brabantio.
3. Witchcraft was accused of Othello by Brabantio.
4. Othello had been accused of witchcraft by Brabantio.

7. Iago deceived everyone. (Change the voice)

1. Everyone is deceived by Iago.
2. Everyone has been deceived by Iago.
3. Everyone was being deceived by Iago.
4. Everyone was deceived by Iago.

8. Who killed Desdemona? (Change the voice)

1. By whom was Desdemona killed?
2. By whom is Desdemona killed?
3. Was Desdemona killed by whom?
4. By whom had Desdemona been killed?

9. They took Iago away for torture. (Change the voice)

1. Iago was taken away for torture.
2. Iago had been taken away for torture.
3. Iago is taken away for torture.
4. Let Iago be taken away for torture.

10. Desdemona loved him for his stories. (Change the voice)

1. He was loved by Desdemona for his stories.
2. He is loved by Desdemona for his stories.
3. He was being loved by Desdemona for his stories.
4. His stories were loved by Desdemona.

11. Othello was a man of noble nature, free ___ jealousy.

1. of
2. with
3. from
4. in

12. Brabantio accused Othello ___ using witchcraft.

1. for
2. with
3. of
4. by

13. Iago was jealous ___ Cassio.

1. with
2. at
3. from
4. of

14. Desdemona pleaded ___ Cassio’s reinstatement.

1. to
2. for
3. with
4. on

15. Othello killed his wife ___ a fit of rage.

1. with
2. by
3. in
4. from

16. Iago was the most cunning villain in the play. (Change to Positive Degree)

1. Iago was more cunning than any other villain in the play.
2. Iago was a very cunning villain.
3. Very few villains in the play were as cunning as Iago.
4. No other villain in the play was as cunning as Iago.

17. Othello was nobler than Iago. (Change to Positive Degree)

1. Iago was not so noble as Othello.
2. Othello was the noblest.
3. Iago was less noble.
4. Iago was not noble at all.

18. Desdemona was one of the purest characters. (Change to Comparative Degree)

1. Desdemona was purer than any other character.
2. Desdemona was purer than most other characters.
3. Very few characters were as pure as Desdemona.
4. Desdemona was a very pure character.

19. No other man was as honest as Iago seemed. (Change to Superlative Degree)

1. Iago seemed more honest than any other man.
2. Iago seemed a very honest man.
3. Iago seemed to be the most honest man.
4. Iago seemed one of the most honest men.

20. Othello’s jealousy was his greatest weakness. (Change to Comparative Degree)

1. Othello’s jealousy was greater than any other weakness.
2. No other weakness of Othello was as great as his jealousy.
3. Othello’s jealousy was a very great weakness.
4. Othello’s jealousy was greater than his love.

21. He had a jealous nature. (Use the noun form of ‘jealous’)

1. He was full of jealousy.
2. He acted with jealousy.
3. Jealousy was in his nature.
4. All of the above.

22. Iago acted with villainy. (Use the adjective form of ‘villainy’)

1. Iago’s act was villainous.
2. Iago was villainous in his act.
3. Iago acted in a villainous manner.
4. All of the above.

23. Desdemona was innocent. (Use the noun form of ‘innocent’)

1. Desdemona had innocence.
2. Innocence was Desdemona’s quality.
3. Desdemona was a picture of innocence.
4. All of the above.

24. Othello spoke nobly. (Use the adjective form of ‘nobly’)

1. Othello’s speech was noble.
2. Othello was a noble speaker.
3. Othello was noble in his speech.
4. Both a and c are correct.

25. He plotted against Cassio. (Use the noun form of ‘plotted’)

1. He had a plot against Cassio.
2. He was a plotter against Cassio.
3. His plotting against Cassio was evil.
4. A plot was made by him against Cassio.

26. (Complex) He was a general. He was brave.

1. He who was a general was brave.
2. He was a general who was brave.
3. He was a brave general. (Simple)
4. Both a and b are correct.

27. (Voice) One must not believe a villain.

1. A villain must not be believed.
2. A villain is not to be believed.
3. Let a villain not be believed.
4. Believing a villain is not right.

28. (Preposition) He fell ___ love with Desdemona.

1. in
2. for
3. to
4. with

29. (Degree) His final speech was his most tragic. (Change to Positive)

1. No other speech of his was as tragic as his final one.
2. His final speech was more tragic than any other.
3. His final speech was very tragic.
4. Very few speeches were as tragic as his final one.

30. (Parts of Speech) His words were deceptive. (Use the verb form of ‘deceptive’)

1. His words deceived.
2. His words were a deception.
3. He deceived with his words.
4. Both a and c are correct.

31. (Complex) He was honest. It was his appearance.

1. His appearance, which was honest, was deceiving.
2. He appeared to be honest.
3. His appearance was that he was honest.
4. He appeared honest, but was not.

32. (Voice) Let Emilia reveal the truth.

1. Let the truth be revealed by Emilia.
2. The truth should be revealed by Emilia.
3. Emilia may reveal the truth.
4. The truth must be revealed.

33. (Preposition) Iago was promoted ___ Cassio’s position.

1. at
2. on
3. in
4. to

34. (Degree) The storm was the most violent. (Change to Comparative)

1. The storm was more violent than any other.
2. No other storm was as violent as it.
3. The storm was very violent.
4. The storm was more violent.

35. (Parts of Speech) He was a man of honour. (Use the adjective form of ‘honour’)

1. He was an honourable man.
2. He acted honourably.
3. He had honour.
4. Honour was his quality.

36. (Complex) Cassio was dismissed. He was sad.

1. Being dismissed, Cassio was sad.
2. Cassio, who was dismissed, was sad.
3. Cassio was sad because he was dismissed.
4. Both b and c are correct.

37. (Voice) Tell me the truth.

1. Let the truth be told to me.
2. I should be told the truth.
3. You are requested to tell me the truth.
4. Both a and b are grammatically correct options.

38. (Preposition) He killed himself ___ a dagger.

1. by
2. from
3. with
4. in

39. (Degree) Desdemona was as pure as an angel. (Change to Comparative)

1. An angel was not purer than Desdemona.
2. Desdemona was the purest.
3. An angel was less pure than Desdemona.
4. Desdemona was more pure.

40. (Parts of Speech) His revenge was terrible. (Use the adverb form of ‘terrible’)

1. He took revenge terribly.
2. His revenge was a terror.
3. He was terrible in his revenge.
4. He took a terrible revenge.