Editor's note: For the teaching of Shakespeare, Gina recommended the use of "fun facts" and biography in order to pique students' interest. While Shakespeare's language may not be immediately understood and appreciable, the facts about his life may be appealing and amusing.

Gina herself presented this information through a series of trivia quizzes she gave to the class. In some cases, these quizzes were given at the beginning of the term and thus served as an introduction to Shakespeare's works. In some cases they were given at the end of the term, and thus functioned as review.

In both cases, Gina administered the quiz to the entire class vocally. She would pose a question, which would prompt wild speculation and deliberation from students and instructors alike. Such quizzes were shown to be an effective way to spur discussion--persons in the room were eager to compare notes in hopes of guess the right answer--and also offered an opportunity for students to be a "host" to the class.

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Shakespeare Trivia

1.) Where was Shakespeare born?
Answer: Stratford-upon-Avon

2.) How many times does suicide occur in Shakespeare's plays?
Answer: 13

3.) What was the name of Shakespeare's theatre?
Answer: The Globe

4.) Where is Shakespeare buried?
Answer: Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon

5.) Which of Shakespeare's plays is the shortest?
Answer: The Comedy of Errors

6.) Which of Shakespeare's plays is the longest?
Answer: Hamlet

7.) Shakespeare was born and grew up in what part of England?
Answer: The Midlands

8.) The house where Shakespeare was born stands on what street?
Answer: Henry Street

9.) What were Shakespeare's parents names before they were married?
Answer: John Shakespeare and Mary Arden

10.) What was Shakespeare's father's profession?
Answer: Glove maker

11.) What play is often considered to be the first performed play?
Answer: Henry VI, Part 1

12.) Who is generally regarded as Shakespeare's main rival as a dramatist?
Answer: Christopher Marlowe

13.) What major disaster closed London theaters twice during Shakespeare's career?
Answer: Plague

14.) How many years older than Shakespeare was Shakespeare's wife?
Answer: 8

15.) Shakespeare's character Beatrice appears in which play?
Answer: Much Ado About Nothing