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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. When Grendel's blood turns the lake red, what do Hrothgar and his men assume?
(a) The lake has grown fiery hot.
(b) Beowulf is dead.
(c) Beowulf has defeated the monster.
(d) All of the serpents have died.

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

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

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

13. 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) After blowing his horn for the second time.
(c) He does not enter the lake.
(d) Immediately upon arrival.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Who is to receive Beowulf's treasure if he dies?

(see the answer keys)

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