View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Beowulf do when the celebration after Grendel's defeat ends?

2. For how many years had Grendel plagued Hrothgar?

3. What did Beowulf and his men cross on their way to Heorot?

4. What wound does Beowulf inflict on Grendel?

5. What instruments are playing as the Queen enters the hall?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Wiglaf the only one of Beowulf's men to come to Beowulf's aid as he battles the dragon?

2. When Beowulf cuts Grendel's head from his body, what happens to Grendel's blood?

3. Where does the watchman see the "glint of death" in Beowulf's party?

4. Why does Grendel attack Heorot?

5. How do Beowulf's men react when they see that Beowulf is faltering during his battle with the dragon?

6. What does Grendel look like?

7. When Beowulf agrees to battle Grendel's mother, what does Hrothgar offer him as a reward?

8. How does Beowulf describe Hrothgar when he greets the King?

9. What is Wiglaf armed with?

10. How does Beowulf plan to show Unferth what courage is?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Queen is mentioned only briefly in the story, yet her role is significant. What does the queen represent? Why is her role important to the story?

Essay Topic 2

After the defeat of the dragon, Beowulf's people are left in despair at the loss of their king rather than joyous at the defeat of the dragon. What do you think this reaction symbolizes?

Essay Topic 3

Each of Beowulf's three foes fall along a scale ranging from completely monster to the most human-like. Place the foes in order of least human to most human and discuss the characteristics of each in terms of their animal and human characteristics.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 517 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample