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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. 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) Wiglaf makes this promise to Beowulf.
(c) Hrothgar makes this promise to Beowulf.
(d) Beowulf makes this promise to Hrothgar.

4. Before battling Grendel's mother, what does Beowulf ask the King to do if he should die?
(a) Look after his men.
(b) Send his men back to their homeland.
(c) Promise to tell stories of his heroism.
(d) Build him a monument.

5. At what point does Beowulf decide to enter the lake to search for Grendel's mother?
(a) He does not enter the lake.
(b) Immediately upon arrival.
(c) When Grendel's mother calls out to him.
(d) After blowing his horn for the second time.

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

7. Who forged the tremendous sword that is in Grendel's mother's lair?
(a) Grendel.
(b) Magicians.
(c) Giants of olden time.
(d) Grendel's mother.

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

9. How does Beowulf kill Grendel's mother?
(a) He throws her to the sea serpents.
(b) He stabs her through the heart.
(c) He cuts off her head.
(d) He strangles her.

10. Inside Grendel's mother's lair, what upholds the weight of the water?
(a) Magic.
(b) Huge serpents.
(c) Stout rafters.
(d) Stone walls.

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

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

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Beowulf will his sword to in case of his death?

2. When Beowulf enters Heorot, what two things does he present to Hrothgar?

3. Who stays at the lake after the Danes leave?

4. At the beginning of Chapter 2, who is brooding with grief and greedy for revenge?

5. What happens to the blade of the tremendous sword found in the lair?

(see the answer keys)

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