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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Grendel's mother use to try to kill Beowulf?
(a) Her hands.
(b) A knife.
(c) An axe.
(d) Beowulf's sword.

2. Who stays at the lake after the Danes leave?
(a) Beowulf's comrades.
(b) Unferth.
(c) Hrothgar.
(d) Grendel.

3. Where is Beowulf when Grendel's mother arrives at Heorot?
(a) Sleeping in his room.
(b) Sitting by the fire.
(c) With the King.
(d) In the stable with his new horses.

4. What does Beowulf do when he sees Grendel's body in the lair?
(a) Leaves the body untouched.
(b) Cuts off Grendel's head.
(c) Weeps.
(d) Burns the body.

5. When Beowulf enters Heorot, what two things does he present to Hrothgar?
(a) Grendel's head and the remains of the giant sword.
(b) Jewels and gold.
(c) Grendel's mother's head and her sword.
(d) A knife and a goblet.

6. What promise does Hrothgar make to Beowulf after Grendel's mother is defeated?
(a) He promises his daughter to Beowulf as his wife.
(b) He promises friendship and trade with Beowulf's people.
(c) He promises to leave the throne to Beowulf.
(d) He promises him a great treasure.

7. Who promises to come with "a thousand spears and a thousand shields" if the other should be attacked?
(a) Beowulf makes this promise to Wiglaf.
(b) Hrothgar makes this promise to Beowulf.
(c) Beowulf makes this promise to Hrothgar.
(d) Wiglaf makes this promise to Beowulf.

8. As Beowulf prepares to leave Denmark, what does Hrothgar do "as if his heart would break?"
(a) Weeps.
(b) Helps Beowulf load his possessions.
(c) Watches the ships sail away.
(d) Sings.

9. Where does Beowulf see a "tremendous sword" in the lair of Grendel's mother?
(a) On a table.
(b) At her side.
(c) On the wall.
(d) In the armory.

10. Who does Grendel's mother kill during the night?
(a) Grendel.
(b) Unferth.
(c) The Queen.
(d) Aeschere.

11. What is Hrunting?
(a) Beowulf's sword.
(b) Grendel's mother's hall.
(c) A shield.
(d) Hrothgar's hall.

12. How does Hrothgar describe the Grendel lake?
(a) Chilling.
(b) Falsely beautiful.
(c) Weird and evil.
(d) Ominous and dark.

13. How does Hrothgar kill the first monster at the Grendel lake?
(a) With an arrow.
(b) With his sword.
(c) With his bare hands.
(d) With a rock.

14. What is the Grendel lake lined with?
(a) Tall grasses.
(b) Fierce dragons.
(c) Mountains.
(d) Trees.

15. How far is Grendel's mother's lair from the windy cliffs?
(a) Three miles.
(b) Fifty yards.
(c) A week's journey.
(d) A mile.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Beowulf kill Grendel's mother?

2. What saves Beowulf's life from Grendel's mother's near-fatal attack?

3. When Grendel's blood turns the lake red, what do Hrothgar and his men assume?

4. When Beowulf blows his horn, what rises up out of the Grendel lake?

5. What does Grendel's mother take off the wall in the hall?

(see the answer keys)

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