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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does Grendel's mother take off the wall in the hall?
(a) Tapestries.
(b) Grendel's arm.
(c) An axe.
(d) A sword.

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

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

5. What saves Beowulf's life from Grendel's mother's near-fatal attack?
(a) A shield.
(b) Hrunting.
(c) His warriors.
(d) His mailcoat.

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

7. When Beowulf reaches the bank of the lake, what does he do?
(a) Places Grendel's head on a spear.
(b) Places Grendel's mother's head on a spear.
(c) Falls to the ground in exhaustion.
(d) Kisses the ground.

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

9. What happens to the blade of the tremendous sword found in the lair?
(a) It cracks.
(b) It melts.
(c) Nothing.
(d) It shatters.

10. 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 to leave the throne to Beowulf.
(c) He promises him a great treasure.
(d) He promises his daughter to Beowulf as his wife.

11. Who does Beowulf will his sword to in case of his death?
(a) His warriors.
(b) Unferth.
(c) Wulfgar.
(d) Hrothgar.

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

13. 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.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who leads Beowulf to the Grendel lake?

2. As Beowulf prepares to leave Denmark, what does Hrothgar do "as if his heart would break?"

3. What is the Grendel lake lined with?

4. How many men does it take to carry Grendel's head?

5. Who forged the tremendous sword that is in Grendel's mother's lair?

(see the answer keys)

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