Show:
The Merchant of Venice - Act 1
Prose
The Merchant of Venice - Act 2
Poetry
The Merchant of Venice - Act 1
100

To whom does Bassanio compare Portia when he is describing her to Antonio?

Cato's daughter, Brutus' wife - also named Portia

100

In the story Old Man at the Bridge, where is the old man from?

San Carlos

100
Why does Launcelot want to leave Shylock's service? What reason does he give his father?
He is a Jew and Launcelot's name will be spoilt if he remains with him.
Tells his father that he is being ill-treated and starved by Shylock.
100

Explain any 2 benefits of planting a tree, based on the poem The Heart of the Tree.

Home for the birds, protection from the sun's rays, forest's heritage, economic growth of the nation

100

What 3 reasons do Salerio and Solanio suggest for Antonio's sadness?

Ships at sea, in love, not happy

200

What simile does Bassanio use to describe Portia?

Her hair compared to the golden fleece

200

In the story A Horse and Two Goats, why does the foreigner want to buy the horse statue? What does he intend to do with it?

Wants to move the book case in his living room and place the horse statue there, as decoration.
200
How does Jessica describe her home? Explain the metaphor she uses.
Calls her house hell. She compares it to hell because of Shylock's strict regard for seriousness and sobriety. He does not like any form of merriment or enjoyment and Jessica finds his rules suffocating.
200

What message is the poet trying to convey in the poem The Cold Within?

Discrimination and prejudice will ultimately lead to the destruction of the entire human race.
200

What plan does Portia have to get rid of the Duke of Saxony's nephew, if he attempts the casket test?

Place a glass of Rhenish wine on the wrong casket.

300

What reasons does Shylock give for hating Antonio?

He is a Christian.

He lends out money gratis.

He insults Shylock in public.

300

Describe both the men in the story Hearts and Hands.

Mr. Easton: young man, handsome presence, bold, frank countenance and manner

The Marshal: ruffled, glum-faced, heavily built, roughly dressed

300
What three metaphors does Gratiano use to describe relationships between lovers? Explain them briefly.
A person rising from a feast does not have the same appetite he had when he sat down.
A horse returning from a long journey does not have the same enthusiasm and energy it had when it set out.
A ship returning from a voyage appears more ragged and weathered than it did when it set sail.
300

According to Roald Dahl, why do parents allow their children to watch television?

Keeps them still

They don't climb out the windowsill

They never fight or kick or punch

Free to cook the lunch

And wash the dishes in the sink

300

Explain Gratiano's reference to "Sir Oracle".

Oracle was usually silent. Only spoke when had something wise to say. Some people pretend to be wise like the Oracle and so do not speak.

400

Why does Shylock lend money to Antonio despite the ill treatment he has received from him? What does he tell Antonio and what does he think in his mind?

Sees an opportunity to take revenge.

Tells Antonio that he wants to forget the past and be his friend.

Actually, he intends to incorporate a clause in the contract which will allow him to take a pound of Antonio's flesh if the money is not repaid on time.

400

What do each of the animals in the story Old Man at the Bridge represent?

Goats: sacrifice - represent the victims of war. The ones who do not survive

Cat: Represent the survivors of war.

Pigeons: Represent the ones who manage to flee the war zone and therefore survive.

400
Why does Bassanio hesitate to allow Gratiano to accompany him to Belmont? What does Gratiano promise to do?
Gratiano is too rude and out-spoken. His behaviour might be misconstrued by the elegant society in Belmont. Bassanio might be judged by Gratiano's behaviour and therefore lose his chance with Portia.
Gratiano promises to behave better and with more propriety.
400

Explain some of the themes of the poem The Heart of the Tree.

1. Usefulness of trees - importance of trees for our survival

2. Appreciation for natural beauty

3. Responsibility to future generations

4. Concern for the future of the Earth

400

What are the terms of Shylock's bond? How does he convince Bassanio that he does not have any ulterior motives?

3000 ducats for 3 months, or a pound of flesh to be given.

Flesh of humans is not profitable.

500

What do we understand of Portia based on her conversation with Nerissa?

She does not like any of her suitors so far.

She is picky as she identifies even the smallest flaws in them and rejects them because of that.

She is willing to bend rules to get her way.

Even though she wants to respect her father's wishes, she doubts the test. She is afraid that she will forced to marry a man she does not love.

500

A Horse and Two Goats:

What incident made the foreigner decide to visit India? Explain his ignorance in explaining this to Muni.

Last August, they had probably the hottest summer in history and he was working in his office on the fortieth floor of the Empire State Building. They had a power failure one day and he was stuck for four hours without elevator or air conditioning. That's when he decided to visit India, to look at other civilizations.

Ignorant of him to explain all this to Muni, as he is a poor villager who has lived his whole life without any of the comforts the foreigner speaks of. For him, every day is like that one inconvenient day the foreigner experienced.

500
Who is Morocco and what does he request of Portia? What is her response?
An African prince who has come to try to win Portia's hand in marriage by attempting the casket test.
Asks her not to judge him by the colour of his skin.
She reassures him that she will consider him in the same way she does all her other suitors.
500

Explain the symbols in the poem The Cold Within.

Log - symbolic of the natural resources available to everyone on earth. Could also be symbolic of the human feelings of compassion and kindness that all of us have, but some refuse to use.

Fire - symbolic of life. As the fire dies out, it indicates that the people are dying. In a larger context, could be symbolic of the human race itself. If hate and prejudice continues, the human race will die out.

500

Give a brief character sketch of Antonio and Bassanio.

Antonio - gullible, loyal friend, racist, stubborn, overconfident

Bassanio - loyal friend, cynical, spendthrift, foolish