1
1 mark
Which of the following best describes Lady Macbeth at the beginning of the play?
compassionate
ruthless
doubtful
submissive
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Macbeth (AQA GCSE English Literature): Exam Questions
Exam code: 8702
12 hours231 questions
2
1 mark
What does Lady Macbeth mean when she asks to be "unsexed" in Act 1, Scene 5?
to remove her feminine qualities which prevent her from committing cruel acts
to change her gender to male
to become invisible
to be transformed into a witch
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3
1 mark
Which character trait is not associated with Lady Macbeth in the play?
ambition
manipulation
sympathy
deception
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4
1 mark
How does Lady Macbeth's mental state change by Act 5?
She becomes more powerful.
She gains confidence.
She remains unaffected.
She loses her mind.
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5
1 mark
How does Lady Macbeth die?
She commits suicide.
She is killed by Macbeth.
She is poisoned by Banquo.
She dies of natural causes.
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6
1 mark
Why might an audience feel more sympathy for Macbeth than Lady Macbeth?
He recently failed in battle.
He struggles with his conscience.
He is less ambitious.
He is less violent.
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7
1 mark
How does Lady Macbeth subvert typical Jacobean gender roles?
by being nurturing
by being submissive
by showing compassion
by influencing her husband
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8
1 mark
Why does Lady Macbeth lose her influence over Macbeth as the play progresses?
She becomes increasingly powerful and independent of him.
He no longer confides in her and begins to keep secrets.
He rejects her advice.
She no longer cares about him becoming king.
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9
1 mark
What underlying message might Shakespeare be presenting through Lady Macbeth’s fate?
Disrupting the natural order leads to devastating consequences.
The pursuit of power will always be rewarded.
Innocence will ultimately protect one from harm.
Ambition is a desirable characteristic.
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10
1 mark
How does Lady Macbeth's character change from the beginning to the end of the play?
She appears loyal and kind in early scenes in the play but becomes cruel and vengeful.
She is introduced to the audience as weak and uncertain but grows stronger and more determined as the play progresses.
She is initially presented as confident and ambitious but becomes guilt-ridden and mentally unstable.
She remains consistently ruthless and ambitious throughout the play.
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1
1 mark
How does Shakespeare illustrate the theme of ambition through Lady Macbeth’s character?
by emphasising her desire to maintain her husband's honour
by showing her relentless pursuit of power, even at the cost of her sanity
by portraying her as a reluctant participant in Macbeth’s murderous plans
by having her encourage Macbeth to focus on his family line instead
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2
1 mark
What is the significance of Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking in revealing her psychological state?
It highlights her overwhelming guilt and inability to cope with her actions.
It shows her strategic planning for the future.
It indicates her growing influence over Macbeth.
It demonstrates her fearlessness in the face of danger.
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3
1 mark
How can Lady Macbeth’s eventual downfall be used to support the idea of moral justice in the play Macbeth?
Her downfall is portrayed as an unfortunate accident, not an example of moral justice.
Her demise is shown as a result of her inherent weakness as a female character.
Her tragic fate is presented as unrelated to her actions in the play.
Her guilt and suicide demonstrate the consequences of disrupting the natural order.
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4
1 mark
How does Lady Macbeth’s ambition affect her relationship with Macbeth throughout the play?
It strengthens their bond as they work together to achieve their murderous plans.
It leads to her murderous influence over Macbeth, which ultimately leads to a more distant relationship.
It increases the respect and trust between them.
It causes Macbeth to distance himself from Lady Macbeth to protect her.
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5
1 mark
What does Lady Macbeth’s eventual suicide suggest about her ability to cope with guilt and power?
She is ultimately unable to cope with the guilt and consequences of her actions.
She overcomes her guilt but decides to end her life because of her changed relationship with Macbeth.
She feels no guilt but is driven to suicide by external forces.
She successfully manages her guilt but is killed by Macbeth.
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6
1 mark
Suggest why Lady Macbeth’s hubris (overconfidence) is significant in leading to her downfall.
She believes she can control the consequences of their actions, which ultimately overwhelms her.
Her overconfidence makes her careless and her involvement in the murder of Duncan is exposed.
Her hubris allows her to achieve her goals without any obstacles.
Her overconfidence is shown to be justified, and she remains powerful throughout the play.
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7
1 mark
How might a modern audience consider the character of Lady Macbeth in relation to contemporary discussions about gender and power?
Lady Macbeth might be viewed as a character who supports traditional, patriarchal ideas about gender and power.
Lady Macbeth could be seen as offering a critique of traditional gender roles, showing the dangers of forcing women into restrictive roles.
Lady Macbeth could be interpreted as being symbolic of women’s inherent weakness.
Lady Macbeth could be seen as irrelevant to modern discussions of gender and power.
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1
1 mark
In what way does Lady Macbeth’s character arc reflect the theme of ambition in Macbeth?
Her ambition leads to her empowerment and success.
Her ambition provides her with initial strength, but ultimately leads to her downfall.
Her ambition is never fulfilled, and she remains passive throughout the play.
Her ambition results in her becoming a tragic hero like Macbeth.
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2
1 mark
Compare the ambition of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. How does their ambition differ in its expression and consequences?
Lady Macbeth’s ambition seems initially more ruthless, leading to quicker consequences, while Macbeth’s is slower to develop but equally destructive.
Lady Macbeth’s ambition is weaker than Macbeth’s, leading to her downfall.
Both display equal levels of ambition, resulting in similar consequences.
Macbeth’s ambition is driven by fate, while Lady Macbeth’s is driven by personal gain.
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3
1 mark
Analyse the relationship between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. Which statement best captures the change in their relationship as the play progresses?
Lady Macbeth’s influence over Macbeth diminishes as he becomes more independent and secretive.
Lady Macbeth remains the dominant partner throughout the play, consistently influencing Macbeth’s actions.
Macbeth's growing dependence on Lady Macbeth leads to her increased power and control.
Their relationship remains unchanged, with Macbeth always deferring to Lady Macbeth’s authority and judgement.
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4
1 mark
Evaluate the effectiveness of Shakespeare’s use of the supernatural to influence Lady Macbeth’s actions.
Lady Macbeth’s actions are driven solely by personal ambition, without any supernatural influence.
The supernatural has little influence over Lady Macbeth, but has a significant influence over Macbeth’s actions.
The supernatural elements amplify Lady Macbeth’s ambition, leading to her moral and psychological corruption.
The supernatural elements serve to protect Lady Macbeth from the consequences of her actions.
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5
1 mark
Consider to what extent Lady Macbeth’s subversion of Jacobean gender roles impacts her fate in the play.
Her subversion of gender roles allows her to successfully attain and maintain power throughout the play.
Her acceptance of traditional gender roles results in a stable, supportive marriage with her husband Macbeth.
Her challenge to gender roles has no significant impact on her fate.
Her rejection of traditional gender roles partly leads to her downfall, illustrating the dangers of disrupting societal norms.
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6
1 mark
How does Lady Macbeth’s inability to cope with guilt contrast with Macbeth’s reaction to guilt throughout the play?
Lady Macbeth succumbs to guilt while Macbeth becomes increasingly desensitised to his guilt.
Lady Macbeth is largely unaffected by her guilt, unlike Macbeth, who is consumed by it.
Both characters manage their guilt in similar ways, showing no significant difference in their reactions.
Both characters suffer with the psychological consequences of their guilt, but without lasting consequences.
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