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GCSEEnglish LiteratureAQAExam Questions1. ShakespeareMacbeth

Macbeth (AQA GCSE English Literature): Exam Questions

Exam code: 8702

8 hours225 questions

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Macbeth

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11 mark

What title is Macbeth given after the Thane of Cawdor is executed?

  • Thane of Cawdor

  • Thane of Fife

  • Thane of Glamis

  • King of Scotland

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21 mark

Who discovers that King Duncan has been murdered?

  • Macbeth

  • Banquo

  • Macduff

  • Malcolm

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31 mark

How does Lady Macbeth die?

  • She is murdered by Macbeth.

  • She kills herself.

  • She dies of illness.

  • She is killed by assassins.

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41 mark

What disguise does Malcolm’s army use to approach Dunsinane Castle?

  • They dress as soldiers from another kingdom.

  • They cover themselves in mud.

  • They use branches from Birnam Wood.

  • They march during a storm.

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51 mark

Where do Duncan’s sons flee after his murder?

  • England and Ireland

  • France and Norway

  • Wales and France

  • Ireland and Norway

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61 mark

What vision does Macbeth see during the banquet in Act 3?

  • Birnam Wood marching

  • Banquo’s ghost

  • a bloody dagger

  • bloodstains on his hands

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71 mark

What prophecy does Macbeth receive about Macduff in Act 4?

  • He will be killed by Macduff.

  • Macduff will betray him.

  • Macduff will be crowned king.

  • He should be wary of Macduff.

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81 mark

How does Lady Macbeth’s reaction to Macbeth’s letter in Act 1 reveal her character and ambition?

  • She immediately begins plotting Duncan’s murder, showing her ruthless ambition.

  • She dismisses the witches’ prophecies, showing her disbelief in the supernatural.

  • She focuses on the potential dangers of killing Duncan, revealing her cautious nature.

  • She hesitates on how to proceed with her plan, showing her indecisiveness.

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91 mark

How does Macbeth interpret the witches’ prophecy that “no man of woman born” can harm him?

  • He fears that a supernatural being will kill him.

  • He believes he is invincible and cannot be killed by any man.

  • He assumes that he will be killed by a woman instead.

  • He believes that no human being poses a threat to him.

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101 mark

How does Macbeth’s initial reaction to the witches’ prophecies reflect his character?

  • He is dismissive, showing his scepticism.

  • He is terrified, showing his fear.

  • He is intrigued, showing his ambition.

  • He is indifferent, showing his apathy.

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11 mark

How does Banquo’s reaction to Macbeth becoming king influence the events that follow?

  • His silence suggests he plans to gather support against Macbeth.

  • His fear causes him to flee Scotland immediately.

  • His indifference suggests he has no interest in the throne.

  • His suspicion of Macbeth drives Macbeth to plot Banquo’s murder.

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21 mark

What does Macduff’s reaction to the news of his family’s murder reveal about his character?

  • It demonstrates his inability to express emotion openly.

  • It reveals his duty to Scotland above everything else.

  • It highlights his fear of Macbeth, leading him to flee Scotland.

  • It shows his deep sense of justice and desire for revenge.

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31 mark

How does Macbeth’s reaction to the witches’ prophecy (that Banquo’s descendants will be kings) reflect his fears?

  • It shows that he is threatened by Banquo’s family line and becomes paranoid.

  • It reveals his dismissal of the prophecy as impossible and unimportant.

  • It indicates his belief that Banquo will freely give up his claim to the throne.

  • It suggests he is unconcerned by Banquo’s fate and focuses on his ow

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41 mark

How does Banquo’s ghost at the banquet symbolise Macbeth’s state of mind?

  • It signifies his anger towards Banquo for betraying him.

  • It represents his growing guilt and fear of being discovered.

  • It shows his indifference to the consequences of his actions.

  • It highlights his relief that Banquo is no longer a threat.

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51 mark

How does Macbeth’s decision to kill Macduff’s family affect the outcome of the play?

  • It causes the nobles to rally in support of Macbeth.

  • It strengthens Macbeth’s power by eliminating his enemies.

  • It drives Macduff to seek revenge, leading to Macbeth’s downfall.

  • It forces Macduff to flee, leaving Macbeth unchallenged.

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61 mark

Macbeth decides to keep his plan to murder Banquo a secret from Lady Macbeth. How does this change their relationship?

  • It creates a rift between them, indicating the start of their emotional separation.

  • It strengthens their bond, as Lady Macbeth respects his decision to act alone.

  • It makes Lady Macbeth more determined to control Macbeth’s actions.

  • It leads to Lady Macbeth losing trust in Macbeth’s ability to rule.

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71 mark

How does Macduff’s decision to flee to England after Duncan’s murder influence the events of the play?

  • It allows him to gather support and ultimately challenge Macbeth’s rule.

  •  It causes Macbeth to feel relieved, believing that his main rival is gone.

  • It leaves Scotland without a strong leader, leading to chaos and instability.

  • It results in Macduff abandoning his plans to oppose Macbeth.

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81 mark

How does Macbeth’s refusal to attend the banquet after seeing Banquo’s ghost affect his rule?

  • It shows his strength, as he refuses to be intimidated by visions.

  • It reassures the nobles that he is in control, solidifying his power.

  • It raises suspicion among the nobles, weakening their loyalty to him.

  • It leads the nobles to dismiss the ghost as an illusion, strengthening their support.

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