11 mark
Who says “Fair is foul and foul is fair”?
Macbeth
Three Witches
Lady Macbeth
Banquo
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Macbeth (AQA GCSE English Literature)
Exam Questions
8 hours225 questions21 mark
Who hears a voice saying, “Macbeth does murder sleep” after King Duncan is killed?
Macduff
Lady Macbeth
Banquo
Macbeth
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31 mark
In Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 7, how does Macbeth describe his ambition?
as “righteous”
as “noble”
as “vaulting”
as “fated”
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41 mark
In Act 2, Scene 2, which character says, “A little water clears us of this deed”?
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Three Witches
Malcolm
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51 mark
Who describes Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as “The dead butcher and his fiend-like queen”?
Ross
Macduff
Duncan
Malcolm
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61 mark
Who asks the stars to “hide [their] fires” to conceal their dark desires?
Banquo
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Three Witches
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71 mark
What does Lady Macbeth ask the spirits to do when she says, “Unsex me here” in Act 1, Scene 5?
remove her feminine traits
grant her immortality
protect her from Macbeth
reveal the future to her
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81 mark
In Act 5, Scene 1, what does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, “Out, damned spot: out, I say!”?
She is trying to wake herself from a nightmare.
She is asking Macbeth to leave her alone.
She is trying to remove an imaginary bloodstain.
She is attempting to summon spirits.
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91 mark
After hearing of Lady Macbeth’s death in Act 5, Scene 5, what emotion does Macbeth express through his soliloquy?
a sense of hopelessness and despair
a renewed determination to fight
a feeling of relief and freedom
a desire to seek revenge
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101 mark
What does Macbeth mean when he says, "Life's but a walking shadow” in Act 5, Scene 5?
He believes life is meaningless and fleeting.
He hopes that his legacy will endure after his death.
His use of a metaphor conveys his wish to be reunited with Lady Macbeth in death.
He hopes to be remembered but has doubts.
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11 mark
When Lady Macbeth says, “When you durst do it, then you were a man” in Act 1, Scene 7, how does this statement influence Macbeth's actions?
It leads him to think about proving his worth in other ways.
It increases his doubts about going through with Duncan’s murder.
It makes him reconsider whether he truly desires power.
It makes him feel his masculinity is threatened if he doesn’t commit murder.
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21 mark
What is the meaning behind Lady Macbeth's command to Macbeth, “Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent underneath it” in Act 1, Scene 5?
She is suggesting he should act impulsively.
She is advising him to act honourably.
She wants him to confess his hidden ambitions.
She wants him to hide his true intentions from Duncan.
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31 mark
How does Macbeth's description of life as “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing” in Act 5, Scene 5, influence his actions for the rest of the play?
He becomes indifferent to the outcomes of his actions.
He becomes determined to seek more power.
He resigns himself fully to his fate.
He decides to continue to fight to retain his position.
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41 mark
Lady Macbeth's shifts from stating that “A little water clears us of this deed” to “All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand” to describe the blood on their hands. What does this change signify?
her satisfaction with the success of their plan
her growing realisation of the enormity of her guilt
her increased resolve to commit further murders if necessary
her belief that she can still avoid the consequences of her actions
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51 mark
What does the idea of “murdering sleep” symbolise for Macbeth’s character after he kills Duncan?
It symbolises the loss of peace as a consequence of his actions.
It represents his growing power and control over Scotland.
It indicates his intention to remain vigilant to avoid being exposed as a murderer.
It shows his indifference to the consequences of the murder he has committed.
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61 mark
In Act 1, Scene 4, Macbeth says, “Stars hide your fires; let not light see my dark and deep desires,” and in Act 1, Scene 4, Lady Macbeth says, “Come, thick night and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of Hell [...] nor Heaven peep through.” How do these lines reflect the characters' awareness of the moral implications of their actions?
They are confident that their actions are justified and seek approval from the heavens.
They wish to act under the cover of darkness, rather than being aware of their own moral corruption.
They are aware of the evil nature of their desires and want to hide them from divine judgement.
They are indifferent to the moral consequences and focus solely on achieving their goals.
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71 mark
In Act 4, Scene 1, Lady Macbeth says, “Out, damned spot: out, I say!” and in Act 5, Scene 5, Macbeth declares, “Out, out, brief candle.” How do these lines show the changing dynamics of power and control between the two characters?
Lady Macbeth’s desperation reveals her loss of control, while Macbeth’s words show his resignation to the pointlessness of their efforts.
Both characters use the word “out” to show their ongoing determination to fight against their circumstances.
Lady Macbeth’s words reflect her strength, while Macbeth’s words show his growing fear of death.
The repetition of “out” by both characters suggests they are still defiant and confident in their ability to shape their destinies.
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81 mark
In Act 1, Scene 1, the witches say, “Fair is foul and foul is fair,” and in Act 1, Scene 3, Macbeth echoes, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” How do these quotes foreshadow the play’s themes of deception and reality?
The quotes imply that the witches are using the weather to manipulate Macbeth’s emotions.
The quotes imply that the weather will play a crucial role in shaping the characters' fates.
The quotes suggest that Macbeth’s destiny is already set, regardless of his choices.
The quotes suggest that appearances will be deceiving and what appears good might be bad.
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