Pearson Edexcel AS Level · English Language and Literature (8EL0)

Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare.

10 questions30 marksFree, no account

Question 1

1 mark

In Act 1, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Orsino famously says, "If music be the food of love, play on." How does the linguistic choice of the imperative mood in "play on" characterize Orsino's initial presentation?

Question 2

1 mark

The ending of Twelfth Night is often described as 'bittersweet.' Which linguistic element in Feste’s final song, 'When that I was and a little tiny boy,' supports this interpretation?

Question 3

1 mark

In Act 1, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Orsino famously says, "If music be the food of love, play on." Which linguistic technique is primarily used here to establish the theme of excess?

Question 4

1 mark

Sebastian's reaction to Olivia's sudden proposal in Act 4, Scene 3—"Or I am mad, or else this is a dream"—utilizes which semantic field to emphasize the chaotic nature of Illyria?

Question 5

1 mark

Consider the lexical field of 'madness' used by characters to describe Malvolio in Act 4. How does this linguistic choice reinforce the theme of 'Crossing Boundaries'?

Question 6

3 marks

In Twelfth Night, how does Shakespeare use the linguistic device of polysemy in the Fool’s dialogue to address the theme of ‘Crossing Boundaries’?

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Question 7

5 marks

How does the morphology of the name ‘Malvolio’ serve as a linguistic signifier for his role in the play’s exploration of social boundaries?

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Question 8

4 marks

Identify the pragmatic significance of Viola’s use of the pronoun ‘I’ while in the persona of Cesario when she says, ‘I am all the daughters of my father’s house.’

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Question 9

5 marks

In Act 1, Scene 5 of Twelfth Night, Olivia asks Viola (disguised as Cesario) how he would love her. Viola responds with the famous 'willow cabin' speech.

(a) Identify the linguistic features and imagery Viola uses in this speech to describe the intensity of her imagined devotion.
(b) How does this speech function as a 'crossing of boundaries' in the context of the play's themes?

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Question 10

8 marks

Analyze the role of Malvolio as a figure who attempts to cross social boundaries in Twelfth Night.

(a) Examine the linguistic shifts in Malvolio's speech in Act 2, Scene 5 (the letter scene) as he moves from a stern steward to an aspiring nobleman.
(b) Discuss the pragmatic failure of Malvolio’s attempt to 'be opposite with a kinsman' and how this contributes to his ultimate exclusion from the play's resolution.
(c) To what extent does the treatment of Malvolio challenge the comedic tone of the play?

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