Attempt 50 high-level MCQs on William Shakespeare’s biography designed for UP TGT English exams. Includes detailed answers and factual questions.William Shakespeare: Biography – 50 MCQs (UP TGT English)
1. William Shakespeare was baptized on:
A. 26 April 1564
B. 23 April 1564
C. 1 May 1564
D. 30 April 1564
Answer: A
2. Shakespeare’s father, John Shakespeare, was primarily a:
A. Wool merchant
B. Schoolmaster
C. Glove-maker
D. Court clerk
Answer: C
3. Which civic position was held by John Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon?
A. Alderman
B. Mayor
C. Justice of Peace
D. All of the above
Answer: D
4. The most probable school Shakespeare attended was:
A. Westminster School
B. King’s New School, Stratford
C. Eton College
D. St. Paul’s School
Answer: B
5. Shakespeare’s formal education mainly emphasized:
A. Mathematics and science
B. Greek philosophy
C. Latin grammar and literature
D. Theology
Answer: C
6. William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in:
A. 1580
B. 1582
C. 1584
D. 1586
Answer: B
7. Anne Hathaway was approximately how many years older than Shakespeare?
A. 4 years
B. 6 years
C. 8 years
D. 10 years
Answer: C
8. Shakespeare’s first child was:
A. Hamnet
B. Judith
C. Susanna
D. Elizabeth
Answer: C
9. The only son of William Shakespeare was:
A. John
B. Hamnet
C. Henry
D. Edmund
Answer: B
10. Hamnet Shakespeare died at the age of:
A. 8
B. 10
C. 11
D. 12
Answer: C
11. The years between 1585 and 1592 in Shakespeare’s life are known as:
A. The Stratford Years
B. The Lost Years
C. The Silent Period
D. The Dark Years
Answer: B
12. Shakespeare was associated with which acting company under royal patronage?
A. Admiral’s Men
B. Queen’s Men
C. King’s Men
D. Chamberlain’s Men
Answer: C
13. Before becoming the King’s Men, the company was known as:
A. Earl of Essex’s Men
B. Lord Chamberlain’s Men
C. Lord Admiral’s Men
D. Prince Henry’s Men
Answer: B
14. The Globe Theatre was constructed in:
A. 1595
B. 1598
C. 1599
D. 1601
Answer: C
15. The Globe Theatre was built mainly using timber from:
A. The Rose Theatre
B. The Swan Theatre
C. The Theatre (Shoreditch)
D. The Curtain Theatre
Answer: C
16. Shakespeare was a shareholder in:
A. The Swan Theatre
B. The Rose Theatre
C. The Globe Theatre
D. The Fortune Theatre
Answer: C
17. Shakespeare’s financial prosperity allowed him to purchase:
A. Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
B. New Place
C. Hall’s Croft
D. Mary Arden’s House
Answer: B
18. Shakespeare was granted a coat of arms in:
A. 1596
B. 1598
C. 1601
D. 1603
Answer: A
19. Shakespeare’s social status after receiving the coat of arms was that of:
A. Yeoman
B. Gentleman
C. Esquire
D. Knight
Answer: B
20. Shakespeare wrote most of his plays during the reign of:
A. Henry VIII
B. Edward VI
C. Elizabeth I
D. James II
Answer: C
21. Shakespeare continued his career under James I primarily because:
A. He wrote religious plays
B. He was knighted
C. His company gained royal patronage
D. He left London
Answer: C
22. Shakespeare retired to Stratford around:
A. 1608
B. 1611
C. 1613
D. 1616
Answer: B
23. The play believed to be Shakespeare’s last solo work is:
A. The Tempest
B. Henry VIII
C. The Winter’s Tale
D. Cymbeline
Answer: A
24. Shakespeare died on:
A. 22 April 1616
B. 23 April 1616
C. 25 April 1616
D. 30 April 1616
Answer: B
25. Shakespeare was buried at:
A. Westminster Abbey
B. Holy Trinity Church, Stratford
C. St. Paul’s Cathedral
D. Southwark Cathedral
Answer: B
26. The epitaph on Shakespeare’s grave warns against:
A. Reading his plays
B. Stealing his manuscripts
C. Moving his bones
D. Damaging his tomb
Answer: C
27. Shakespeare’s will was signed in:
A. January 1616
B. February 1616
C. March 1616
D. April 1616
Answer: C
28. Shakespeare famously left his wife:
A. His house
B. His money
C. His “second best bed”
D. His manuscripts
Answer: C
29. The First Folio was published in:
A. 1616
B. 1620
C. 1623
D. 1625
Answer: C
30. The First Folio was compiled by:
A. Ben Jonson and John Heminges
B. John Heminges and Henry Condell
C. Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson
D. Thomas Middleton and John Fletcher
Answer: B
31. How many plays were included in the First Folio?
A. 35
B. 36
C. 37
D. 38
Answer: D
32. Which playwright wrote the famous tribute beginning “Sweet Swan of Avon”?
A. John Dryden
B. Ben Jonson
C. John Milton
D. Thomas Dekker
Answer: B
33. Shakespeare never published his plays during his lifetime because:
A. Printing was illegal
B. Plays were considered inferior literature
C. He lacked permission
D. He feared criticism
Answer: B
34. Shakespeare’s birthplace was:
A. London
B. Warwick
C. Stratford-upon-Avon
D. Oxford
Answer: C
35. Shakespeare’s mother, Mary Arden, belonged to:
A. A noble family
B. A farming family
C. A wealthy gentry family
D. A merchant family
Answer: C
36. Shakespeare’s rise in social status was mainly due to:
A. Royal titles
B. University education
C. Financial success and property
D. Political service
Answer: C
37. Shakespeare is often called the “Bard of Avon” because:
A. He lived near the Avon River
B. He wrote about the Avon
C. He worked in Avon Theatre
D. He was born in Avon city
Answer: A
38. Shakespeare’s acting career primarily involved:
A. Tragic heroes
B. Comic servants
C. Minor roles
D. Female characters
Answer: C
39. The plague in London affected Shakespeare by:
A. Ending his career
B. Closing theatres
C. Forcing exile
D. Destroying manuscripts
Answer: B
40. Shakespeare gained royal favor particularly after:
A. Writing Hamlet
B. Elizabeth I’s death
C. Becoming mayor
D. Publishing the First Folio
Answer: B
41. Shakespeare’s professional life was centered in:
A. Oxford
B. Cambridge
C. London
D. Canterbury
Answer: C
42. Which fact supports Shakespeare’s financial success?
A. He borrowed money
B. He purchased New Place
C. He lived in poverty
D. He depended on patrons
Answer: B
43. Shakespeare’s death coincided with:
A. The Great Fire of London
B. The English Civil War
C. His birthday (traditional belief)
D. Publication of First Folio
Answer: C
44. Shakespeare’s handwriting survives mainly in:
A. Letters
B. Poems
C. His will
D. Play manuscripts
Answer: C
45. Shakespeare’s family line ended with:
A. His daughters
B. His grandchildren
C. His great-grandchildren
D. His son
Answer: B
46. Which title best reflects Shakespeare’s social rise?
A. Knight of Avon
B. Gentleman of Stratford
C. Poet Laureate
D. Royal Playwright
Answer: B
47. Shakespeare’s biography relies heavily on:
A. Autobiographical notes
B. Official records
C. Personal diaries
D. Letters
Answer: B
48. Shakespeare’s lack of university education is significant because:
A. He rejected learning
B. It contrasts with his intellectual range
C. Universities were closed
D. He studied abroad
Answer: B
49. Which event marked Shakespeare’s transition to literary immortality?
A. His death
B. Royal patronage
C. Publication of the First Folio
D. Building of the Globe Theatre
Answer: C
50. The most enduring mystery in Shakespeare’s biography concerns:
A. His religion
B. His marriage
C. His authorship
D. His education
Answer: C
