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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Beowulf, who was the first ashore in the swimming match with Breca?
(a) Beowulf.
(b) Breca.
(c) A whale.
(d) It was a tie.

2. What does Beowulf say his spears are made of?
(a) Maple.
(b) Oak.
(c) Ashwood.
(d) Steel.

3. What does Grendel do with the men he takes from Heorot?
(a) Throws them off a cliff.
(b) Takes them home for meat.
(c) Feeds them to the sea serpents.
(d) Uses them as slaves.

4. What are Hrothgar and his warriors doing when Grendel first enters Heorot?
(a) Arguing.
(b) Feasting.
(c) Sleeping.
(d) Dancing.

5. During their swimming competition, what separated Beowulf and Breca?
(a) The whales.
(b) A north-easter storm.
(c) Nothing.
(d) A ship.

6. Who is Wulfgar?
(a) The King's herald.
(b) Grendel's son.
(c) Beowulf's kinsman.
(d) Hrothgar's son.

7. What does Beowulf do when the celebration after Grendel's defeat ends?
(a) Makes sure his men are fed.
(b) Leaves immediately for the lair of Grendel's mother.
(c) Seeks an audience with the queen.
(d) Sleeps.

8. What attacked Beowulf while he was in the ocean with Breca?
(a) A pirate.
(b) A serpent.
(c) Breca.
(d) Sharks.

9. After Beowulf tells the story of himself and Breca, what does he call Unferth?
(a) A coward.
(b) A brave man.
(c) A truthful storyteller.
(d) An idiot.

10. How long does Unferth say Beowulf wallowed at sea?
(a) 2 weeks.
(b) 7 days.
(c) 30 days.
(d) 2 days.

11. What towered "high to reach heaven" and "strong to withstand the buffet of war?"
(a) Beowulf.
(b) Heorot.
(c) The Catholic Church.
(d) Grendel.

12. What does Grendel hate the sound of?
(a) The harp.
(b) Snoring.
(c) Men's voices.
(d) A warrior's battle cry.

13. Who tells Beowulf that Grendel can only be defeated by bare hands?
(a) Grendel's mother.
(b) Hrothgar.
(c) Unferth.
(d) Wealhtheow.

14. Who did Hrothgar give golden rings and bracelets to?
(a) His followers.
(b) Grendel's mother.
(c) His wife.
(d) Grendel.

15. For how many years had Grendel plagued Hrothgar?
(a) 50 years.
(b) 9 years.
(c) 12 years.
(d) 3 years.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Beowulf say he and his men are from?

2. What is the name of Hrothgar's queen?

3. How does Grendel enter the hall?

4. What does Hrothgar vow to treat Beowulf like after Grendel's defeat?

5. Who stays awake waiting for Grendel while the other warriors sleep in the hall?

(see the answer keys)

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