Question

critical skills practice: vocabulary
directions: read the paragraph then answer the question below.
shakespeare’s hamlet continues to influence culture today, even hundreds of years after it was written. the famous line “to be, or not to be” is often quoted in movies, tv shows, and even cartoons to express deep thinking or confusion. themes from the play, such as revenge, betrayal, and the struggle to make difficult choices, appear in modern books and films, showing that hamlet’s struggles are still relatable. characters who hesitate to take action or who question the meaning of life are often compared to hamlet, making him a symbol of indecision. schools, theaters, and even popular video games sometimes reference the play, proving that hamlet is not just an old story but a lasting part of modern culture.
question: the passage describes hamlet as a “symbol of indecision.” what does the word indecision most nearly mean?
a strong commitment to action
a talent for solving problems quickly
a desire to take risks without thinking
the inability to make a choice

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "indecision", we analyze the context. The passage says characters who "hesitate to take action" or question life's meaning are compared to Hamlet. Let's evaluate each option:

• "A strong commitment to action" is the opposite of hesitation, so incorrect.
• "A talent for solving problems quickly" doesn't relate to hesitation or not choosing, incorrect.
• "A desire to take risks without thinking" is about recklessness, not indecision, incorrect.
• "The inability to make a choice" matches the idea of hesitation and struggling to make decisions, as Hamlet is known for his indecisiveness in the play.

Answer:

D. The inability to make a choice