Shakespeare's King Lear Act 1 Quiz and Answer Key | Reading Comprehension Assessment

Use this editable quiz to evaluate reading comprehension related to Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear. An answer key is included. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to help high school students focus on key aspects of characters, settings, and conflicts. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:

• Setting
• King Lear’s life-changing decision
• The nature of Lear’s relationship with Cordelia
• Edmund’s status as an illegitimate child
• The daughters’ expressions of love for their father
• Cordelia’s punishment
• Kent’s assessment of King Lear’s behavior
• Edmund’s underhanded deeds
• Goneril’s feelings toward her recently moved-in father
• Kent’s act of self-preservation
• Character description of the Fool
• The intent of King Lear’s letter
• The king’s acknowledgement of a fear
• Kent’s loyalty