View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. At what point does Beowulf decide to enter the lake to search for Grendel's mother?

3. What saves Beowulf's life from Grendel's mother's near-fatal attack?

4. How does Beowulf kill Grendel's mother?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What makes Beowulf an archetypal hero? What characteristics does he possess? What are some of the things he does that show he is a hero?

Essay Topic 2

Why isn't Hrothgar able to defeat Grendel without the aid of Beowulf? Formulate a theory and use examples from the book to support your theory.

Essay Topic 3

When Beowulf dies, he leaves no heir to reign in his place. Instead, he has only a kingsman to take the throne. What does the passing of the kingdom to its next ruler in this manner represent in terms of the changes taking place in the author's world?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 250 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample