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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What wound does Beowulf inflict on Grendel?
(a) He cuts off Grendel's leg.
(b) He stabs Grendel through the heart with his sword.
(c) He chops Grendel's head off.
(d) He rips Grendel's arm off.

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

3. When Beowulf and his men reach Heorot, what are they heavy with?
(a) Too much food.
(b) Gifts for the King.
(c) Gold.
(d) Weariness.

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

5. How tall is Grendel?
(a) 20 feet tall.
(b) 7 feet tall.
(c) 12 feet tall.
(d) 9 feet tall.

6. What is the name of Hrothgar's queen?
(a) Wealhtheow.
(b) Elizabeth.
(c) Grendel.
(d) Greta.

7. How does Grendel enter the hall?
(a) By sneaking quietly through the window.
(b) Through the roof.
(c) By quietly opening the door.
(d) By ripping the door off.

8. What instruments are playing as the Queen enters the hall?
(a) Flutes.
(b) Harps.
(c) Trumpets.
(d) Drums.

9. As Beowulf and his men march to Heorot, what glares from their helmets?
(a) A boar's head.
(b) A wolf's head.
(c) A lion's head.
(d) A stag's head.

10. According to Beowulf, in the story of his swimming competition with Breca, who cried out for help?
(a) The whales.
(b) Breca.
(c) Beowulf.
(d) A sailor.

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

12. How many men did Beowulf bring with him to Denmark?
(a) 50.
(b) 14.
(c) 13.
(d) 5.

13. What decorates the goblets the Queen uses to serve Beowulf and his men?
(a) Copper.
(b) Nothing.
(c) Carvings of dragons.
(d) Jewels.

14. According to Beowulf, what did he and Breca giddily plunge into the water to do?
(a) Battle monster whales.
(b) Cool off.
(c) Swim to the far shore.
(d) Impress the maidens.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What color is the banner Hrothgar gives Beowulf?

2. How many horses does Hrothgar give Beowulf and his men?

3. What does Beowulf do when the celebration after Grendel's defeat ends?

4. What are Grendel's arms described as being like?

5. Who does Unferth claim Beowulf lost a swimming match to?

(see the answer keys)

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