NAME:______

TEACHER:______

English 3-4

DATE:______

Julius Caesar – Act 2 Test

Part One

Directions: Answer the following questions using complete sentences. Some questions will require textual evidence.

1. Why did Brutus feel that Caesar must be assassinated soon?

2. Who suggested that Antony’s life be spared? Why?

3. How did Calpurnia’s dreams act as foreshadowing?

4. How did Decius convince Caesar to leave the house?

5. Who tried to warn Caesar with a letter?

6. What is ironic about Portia’s statement: “How hard it is for women to keep counsel!” (1131, line 9)? (Hint: think about her speeches in Scene One.)

Part Two:

Directions: Make a case for who you believe is the strongest persuader in Act Two. Is it Brutus? Decius? Portia? Artemius? Select any one character from Act Two.

7. Character:

What evidence can you provide that shows your character being an effective persuader?

8. Evidence and page & line number
9. Which rhetorical device is your character using to persuade? / 10. Why do you think that?
11. How does the rhetorical device(s) that you identified help your character at being a strong persuader?
12. Predict whether or not your character will remain the strongest persuader for the remainder of the play. Explain your reasoning.

Part Three

Directions: Match each vocabulary word with the correct definition or synonym. Write the correct letter on the line provided.

_____ 13. belong to or relate to somethingA. affable

_____ 14. copying in attempt to equal or surpassB. appertain

_____ 15. to rejectC. augmented

_____ 16. good at judging people or situations; suspiciousD. emulation

_____ 17. about to occur; certain to occurE. imminent

_____ 18. winF. prevail

_____ 19. enlargedG. shrewd

_____ 20. face; appearance (also: ghost or apparition)H. spurn

_____ 21. courageI. valor

_____ 22. likeable; friendlyJ. visage

Directions: Choose three of the vocabulary words from Act 2 and use them in an original and creative sentence of your own (you may change the form of the word). Box the vocabulary word in your sentence.

23.
24.
25.

Part Four

26. In Act Two, Scene 1 Brutus calls for Lucius (p. 1123, lines 229-233). Translate what this means. You may summarize.

27. At the end of Scene 1 of Act Two, Portia pleads with Brutus to confide in her about whatever is bothering him. Revisit lines 279-287 (p. 1124) and translate what this means. You may summarize.

28. Calpurnia says, referring to Caesar, “Alas, my lord! Your wisdom is consumed in confidence” (1128, lines 48-49). What is she saying about him?