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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What ominous feeling does Grendel have?
(a) That something is coming.
(b) That Hrothgar will die soon.
(c) That he will die soon.
(d) That Unferth will die soon.

2. What threat, besides Grendel, does Hrothgar face?
(a) Unferth.
(b) Beowulf.
(c) A younger king.
(d) Hrothulf.

3. What does Grendel observe an archer killing in Chapter 9?
(a) A bull.
(b) Grendel.
(c) A hart.
(d) A bear.

4. Who are the two speakers of poetry in Chapter 8?
(a) Hrothulf and Wealtheow.
(b) Hrothgar and Grendel.
(c) Hrothulf and Hrothgar.
(d) Hrothgar and Wealtheow.

5. How many sons does Hrothgar have by Wealtheow?
(a) One.
(b) Two.
(c) None.
(d) Three.

Short Answer Questions

1. Hygmod proposes a truce by what gesture in Chapter 10?

2. What do the king and queen wait patiently to happen in Chapter 10?

3. Who is Hrothgar's younger brother?

4. Grendel refers to what between Wealtheow and Hrothgar in Chapter 8?

5. Hrothgar refuses treasure so Hygmod offers what as a sign of the truce?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the Danes respond to the arrival of the Geats?

2. Discuss the sentiment that bread-thieves die while murderers go free. What is meant by this statement?

3. In Chapter 12, discuss Grendel's interpretation of why his mother does not answer him as he calls for her while fighting the Stranger.

4. Compare the bowsman hunting the hart to the priest coming to Grendel in the ring of gods.

5. Describe the behavior of Grendel's mother. How are her actions altered by Grendel's increase in power?

6. What similarities do you see between the brief account of Finn and Hnaef and Hrothgar and Wealtheow's brother?

7. In Chapter 12, who are Grendel's final words directed toward? What foreshadowing do his words provide?

8. The goat invading the mere can be seen as a symbol and foreshadowing. What does the goat stand for?

9. Discuss the priests' reaction to Ork's tale of speaking with the Great Destroyer.

10. Discuss the people's view of religion after years of Grendel's oppression.

(see the answer keys)

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