ICSE Class 10

General instructions: Answer all questions. Marks are shown in brackets [ ].

Objective

1. 1.
   Who meets Brutus and his army at the beginning of the scene?

   1. A. Titinius and Pindarus
   2. B. Cassius and Lucius
   3. C. Antony and Octavius
   4. D. Lucilius and Caesar
   [1]
2. 2.
   Which insult does Brutus hurl at Cassius when he says, “Away, slight man!”?

   1. A. He calls Cassius a coward
   2. B. He calls him a fool
   3. C. He calls him “slight,” implying insignificance
   4. D. He calls him a liar
   [1]
3. 3.
   Which tragic news does Brutus reveal to Cassius that weighs heavily on his mind?

   1. a. Their army has deserted
   2. b. Lucilius has betrayed them
   3. c. Portia, his wife, is dead
   4. d. Antony has offered a truce
   [1]
4. 4.
   How did Portia reportedly end her life, according to Brutus?

   1. a. She used poison
   2. b. She stabbed herself in the heart
   3. c. She jumped from the walls of Sardis
   4. d. She swallowed fire (hot coals)
   [1]
5. 5.
   What does Brutus call Cassius when he addresses him before their armies?

   1. A. “Most noble brother”
   2. B. “Dishonored leader”
   3. C. “Faithful friend”
   4. D. “Tyrant in disguise”
   [1]
6. 6.
   127. Brutus exclaims, "I had rather be a dog and bay the ______/Than such a Roman."

   1. A. sun
   2. B. moon
   3. C. wind
   4. D. sea
   [1]
7. 7.
   "He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold ... Then take we down his load." Here, Antony describes Lepidus as a(n) _______.

   1. A. equal partner
   2. B. strong politician
   3. C. beast of burden
   4. D. skilled negotiator
   [1]
8. 8.
   How does Cassius initially react to Brutus’s charge of corruption?

   1. A. He acknowledges his faults
   2. B. He threatens Brutus
   3. C. He agrees to repay the bribes
   4. D. He begs Brutus for forgiveness
   [1]
9. 9.
   Pick the correct progression of Antony's disparagement of Lepidus. 1. Antony derides Lepidus as "slight" and "unmeritable." 2. Antony calls Lepidus an ass that carries gold. 3. Antony likens Lepidus to his horse. 4. He claims Lepidus must be "trained" like an animal.

   1. A. 2, 1, 3, 4
   2. B. 1, 2, 4, 3
   3. C. 1, 2, 3, 4
   4. D. 1, 3, 2, 4
   [1]
10. 10.
    116. "Let me see, let me see; is not the leaf turned down Where I left reading?" These lines suggest that Brutus is ______.

    1. A. hunting for his sword
    2. B. browsing old letters
    3. C. looking for his reading spot
    4. D. hiding important documents
    [1]
11. 11.
    “A hot friend cooling ... When love begins to sicken and decay It useth an enforced ceremony.” Brutus compares Cassius to ______.

    1. A. an unwavering ally
    2. B. a cold, unfeeling stranger
    3. C. a friend whose loyalty is diminishing
    4. D. a foe that never cared
    [1]
12. 12.
    115. What does Brutus do immediately after the Ghost vanishes?

    1. A. Wakes Lucius, Varro, and Claudius to confirm what happened
    2. B. Summons Cassius to protect him
    3. C. Faints in horror
    4. D. Sends a messenger to Antony
    [1]
13. 13.
    Determine the correct order of how the armies approach and meet. 1. Lucilius states Cassius's troops will camp near Sardis. 2. Cassius's forces arrive on stage. 3. Brutus hears Cassius's arrival. 4. Brutus orders a gentle march to meet Cassius.

    1. A. 2, 3, 1, 4
    2. B. 1, 2, 3, 4
    3. C. 1, 3, 4, 2
    4. D. 1, 4, 2, 3
    [1]
14. 14.
    How does Lucilius describe Cassius's greeting to him recently?

    1. A. Friendly and warm as always
    2. B. Overtly hostile and aggressive
    3. C. Neutral, without offering any greeting
    4. D. Courteous but less familiar than before
    [1]
15. 15.
    (v) Who were the members of the Second Triumvirate, formed to rule over Rome after Caesar's assassination?

    1. A. Julius Caesar, Crassus, Pompey
    2. B. Marcus Brutus, Caius Cassius, Casca
    3. C. Mark Antony, Octavius Caesar, Lepidus
    4. D. Octavius Caesar, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony
    [1]
16. 16.
    Which of the following best sums up Octavius’s immediate reaction to Antony’s criticism of Lepidus?

    1. A. He agrees Lepidus is useless
    2. B. He praises Lepidus as a valiant soldier
    3. C. He laughs at Antony’s remarks
    4. D. He remains silent and leaves
    [1]
17. 17.
    (iii) How does this moment in *Julius Caesar* (Act 4) reflect the tension and conflict between Brutus and Cassius, and which earlier events in the play have contributed to their strained relationship?

    1. A. Tension arises from Brutus’s idealism and Cassius’s pragmatism, fueled by events like Brutus condemning Lucius Pella and Cassius accusing Brutus of arrogance.
    2. B. Conflict stems from Cassius’s betrayal of Brutus’s trust, particularly after Brutus discovers Cassius’s secret alliance with Antony.
    3. C. Tension is due to Brutus’s refusal to share leadership, while Cassius demands equal authority in their military campaign.
    4. D. Their conflict is rooted in Cassius’s jealousy of Brutus’s popularity, leading to a public argument about their differing political ambitions.
    [1]
18. 18.
    (v) In *Julius Caesar* (Act 4), is Brutus’s criticism of Cassius for denying him money justified, considering their roles and differing values?

    1. A. Yes, as the funds were essential for their troops, though Cassius’s frustration highlights their need for unity despite personal conflicts.
    2. B. No, because Cassius had valid reasons to withhold funds, including concerns about Brutus’s financial mismanagement.
    3. C. Yes, but only because Cassius’s refusal was a deliberate attempt to undermine Brutus’s authority as a leader.
    4. D. No, as Brutus’s demand for money was unreasonable, given their precarious military position at the time.
    [1]
19. 19.
    132. Determine the correct order in which threats and tempers flare between them. 1. Brutus dismisses Cassius as a "slight man." 2. Cassius warns Brutus not to "presume too much upon my love." 3. Cassius boasts he is older and more practiced in war. 4. Brutus taunts Cassius to break if his proud heart cannot bear it.

    1. A. 3, 4, 2, 1
    2. B. 1, 2, 3, 4
    3. C. 3, 1, 4, 2
    4. D. 4, 1, 3, 2
    [2]
20. 20.
    134. Select the correct order in which news of Portia emerges and is discussed. 1. Brutus finally discloses that Portia is dead. 2. Cassius exclaims, "Ha? Portia?" in disbelief. 3. They acknowledge Portia’s desperate act of "swallowing fire." 4. Brutus chooses to bury his grief and move on.

    1. A. 1, 3, 2, 4
    2. B. 2, 1, 3, 4
    3. C. 1, 2, 3, 4
    4. D. 3, 2, 4, 1
    [2]