ICSE Class 9 English Flashcards

24 sample cards from the English deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. What is the casket condition imposed by Portia's dead father in Act 1 of The Merchant of Venice?

   Portia may not choose her own husband; suitors must pick among three caskets—gold, silver and lead—and only the one who chooses the casket containing her portrait may marry her.

2. State the reasons Shylock gives in Act 1 for hating Antonio in The Merchant of Venice.

   Antonio is a Christian who insults Shylock, spits on him and calls him a dog; Antonio also lends money without interest, which lowers the rate of usury and harms Shylock's trade.

3. In Act 1 of The Merchant of Venice, what does Shylock call the bond, and how does Antonio respond?

   Shylock calls it a "merry bond," pretending it is offered in friendship and kindness. Antonio confidently agrees, certain his ships will return a month before the bond falls due.

4. Who is Gratiano in Act 1 of The Merchant of Venice and how is he characterised?

   Gratiano is a friend of Antonio and Bassanio, known for talking too much and too lightly; Bassanio warns him to behave more soberly when they go to Belmont.

5. In Act 2 of The Merchant of Venice, which casket does the Prince of Morocco choose and what does he find?

   He chooses the gold casket, lured by its outward worth ("Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire"). Inside he finds a skull (death's head) with a scroll: "All that glisters is not gold."

6. In Act 2 of The Merchant of Venice, which casket does the Prince of Arragon choose and what does he find?

   He chooses the silver casket ("Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves"). Inside he finds the portrait of a blinking idiot/fool's head, mocking his self-conceit.

7. Who is Launcelot Gobbo in Act 2 of The Merchant of Venice and what does he decide to do?

   He is Shylock's clownish servant. After a comic inner debate between his conscience and the devil, he decides to leave Shylock and become a servant to Bassanio instead.

8. In Act 2 of The Merchant of Venice, how does Jessica escape, and what does she take?

   Shylock's daughter Jessica elopes with the Christian Lorenzo, disguised as a boy/page; she takes with her a casket of her father's gold and jewels.

9. How does Shylock react to Jessica's elopement in Act 2 of The Merchant of Venice?

   He is furious and grief-stricken, crying out for both his ducats and his daughter, and is mocked in the streets; this loss intensifies his hatred toward Christians like Antonio.

10. In Act 3 of The Merchant of Venice, which casket does Bassanio choose and why does he succeed?

    Bassanio chooses the lead casket ("Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath"), rejecting outward show for true value. Inside is Portia's portrait, so he wins her hand.

11. What gift does Portia give Bassanio in Act 3 of The Merchant of Venice, and what condition is attached?

    She gives him a ring as a token of her love, on the condition that he must never part with, lose or give it away; doing so would mean the ruin of his love.

12. What news reaches Bassanio in Act 3 of The Merchant of Venice that interrupts his happiness?

    A letter arrives reporting that all of Antonio's ships are lost at sea, so he cannot repay Shylock; the bond is forfeit and Shylock demands his pound of flesh.

13. Quote and explain the theme of Shylock's "Hath not a Jew eyes?" speech in Act 3 of The Merchant of Venice.

    Shylock argues a Jew has the same eyes, hands, senses and feelings as a Christian ("If you prick us, do we not bleed?"), justifying his revenge by saying he merely follows the cruel example Christians set him.

14. In Act 3 of The Merchant of Venice, what plan do Portia and Nerissa make after Bassanio leaves for Venice?

    They disguise themselves as men—Portia as a young lawyer (Balthazar) and Nerissa as his clerk—and secretly go to Venice to save Antonio at the trial.

15. Why does Shylock refuse all offers of money in Act 3 of The Merchant of Venice and insist on the bond?

    He is driven by deep hatred and a thirst for revenge against Antonio for past insults and for Jessica's flight; he prefers Antonio's flesh to any sum of money, swearing he will have his bond.

16. In the trial scene (Act 4) of The Merchant of Venice, who appears disguised as the lawyer, and what is Portia's famous plea to Shylock?

    Portia, disguised as the lawyer Balthazar. She delivers the "quality of mercy" speech, urging Shylock that mercy is not strained, blesses both giver and receiver, and is an attribute of God.

17. How does Portia legally defeat Shylock in Act 4 of The Merchant of Venice?

    She allows the bond but rules he may take exactly one pound of flesh and not one drop of blood, since the bond mentions no blood; cutting any blood or more/less than a pound would forfeit his life and goods.

18. What penalties fall on Shylock at the end of the trial in Act 4 of The Merchant of Venice?

    As an alien plotting against a citizen's life, half his wealth goes to Antonio and half to the state; his life is spared by the Duke. He must also become a Christian and leave his estate to Lorenzo and Jessica.

19. In Act 4 of The Merchant of Venice, what payment does the disguised Portia ask of Bassanio, and why?

    As the lawyer's fee she asks for the ring Bassanio gave her. She does this to test his loyalty; he reluctantly sends it after Antonio urges him to.

20. What is the central theme highlighted in the Act 4 trial scene of The Merchant of Venice?

    The conflict between justice (the letter of the law) and mercy; Portia shows that strict justice without mercy becomes cruelty, and that the law can be used to defeat a merciless plaintiff.

21. What is the setting and mood at the opening of Act 5 in The Merchant of Venice?

    It is a moonlit night in the garden at Belmont; Lorenzo and Jessica exchange poetic, romantic talk about famous lovers and the beauty of music, creating a peaceful, harmonious mood after the tension of the trial.

22. How is the "ring quarrel" resolved in Act 5 of The Merchant of Venice?

    Portia and Nerissa scold Bassanio and Gratiano for giving away their rings, then reveal that they themselves were the lawyer and clerk who received them—so the husbands were unknowingly faithful.

23. What good news does Portia bring Antonio in Act 5 of The Merchant of Venice?

    She gives him a letter revealing that three of his merchant ships have safely returned to port richly laden, restoring his fortune.

24. What is the overall function of Act 5 in The Merchant of Venice?

    It provides a light, comic, harmonious resolution: love and friendship triumph, misunderstandings are cleared, the ring test ends happily, and Antonio's wealth is restored—ending the play on joy and reconciliation.

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