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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who leads Beowulf to the Grendel lake?
(a) Aeschere.
(b) A warrior who isn't named.
(c) Unferth.
(d) Hrothgar.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15. What kind of boat to Beowulf and his men sail away from Denmark in?
(a) A swan boat.
(b) A tern boat.
(c) A canoe with many oars.
(d) A pirate ship.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. After Beowulf's sword fails to kill Grendel's mother, what does he use to try to fight her?

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

5. Where is Beowulf when Grendel's mother arrives at Heorot?

(see the answer keys)

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