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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Cuchulain sad about fighting Ferbaeth?

2. Where did Medb and Ailill's neighboring kings' men gather?

3. Cuchulain had another name before he took the name Cuchulain. What was it?

4. What do Ailill and Medb want to ask Cuchulain for after the slaughter of the boy trooper?

5. How does the fairy Morrigan first disguise herself in battle with Cuchulain?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Cuchulain kill the three men from macArach?

2. How does Cuchulain show the Irish that he is a real threat to them?

3. What were the Crutti Cainbili and what happened to them?

4. Why do the Irish scorn the Ulstermen in "The Misthrow at Belach Eoin"?

5. What promise does Cuchulain make to Luguid about his brother Larini?

6. Cuchulain accidentally kills Ferbaeth. What was his relationship with Ferbaeth?

7. Show another example of loyalty for Cuchulain as it appears in "The Combat of Calatin's Children".

8. Why is Fergus familiar with Cuchulain? What does he say about Cuchulain?

9. How are the charioteers from Ulster killed by the Irish?

10. Why did Setanta's name get changed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose either of the following:

(a) Explain and give examples that support the characterization of Cuchulain as a superhuman young man with magical qualities. Compare and contrast this with the character of Medb, as presented in the book. Why does the author present the characters this way?

(b) Cuchulain is also presented as fairly ruthless early in the book but later on we start to see his more vulnerable, human side. Compare and contrast these two sides of Cuchulain's nature, citing four examples for each.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the exposition and the resolution components in The Cattle Raid of Cooley, as they relate to the state of the kingdoms of Ireland and Ulster, citing specific examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

The tragic flaw is used in literary works to show the weakness of humans and how it influences the outcomes of many situations. Write a short essay wherein you list what you consider five fatal flaws and how they can have a serious influence on people's lives. Choose one of these fatal flaws and apply it to a character in The Cattle Raid at Cooley and show how it influences the outcome of the story.

(see the answer keys)

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