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

Short Answer Questions

1. Ferbaeth is next in line to fight Cuchulain. What is his relationship to Cuchulain?

2. Why is Finnabair killed?

3. How does Morrigan disguise herself when she sees Cuchulain coming?

4. How did the men of Ireland and Ulster honor the men who died in battle?

5. Why is Fergus chosen to be the spokesman with the powerful men of Ulster?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Medb show she is a little worried about the strength of the Ulstermen?

2. Why does Cuchulain kill Tamon?

3. Who does Cuchulain kill on the riverbank? Why were they there?

4. How does Cuchulain feel about Fergus? Why doesn't this stop him from killing Etarcumul?

5. Why does Cuchulain feel so guilty about the slaughter of the Youths of Ulster?

6. How does the fairy Morrigan disguise herself while Loch is battling with Cuchulain? Is she successful in stopping Cuchulain?

7. Show another example of loyalty for Cuchulain as it appears in "The Combat of Calatin's Children".

8. Why does Cuchulain kill Lochi? Who is she?

9. Even though Cuchulain is keeping his end of the bargain, Medb and Ailill break theirs. How do they do this?

10. Describe Cuchulain's actions in "Now of the Battle".

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pride as a personal characteristic is prevalent in The Cattle Raid of Cooley. Show how pride is shown as a characteristic of these warriors and provide two instances where pride influences their decisions or actions:

(a) Cuchulain

(b) Fergus

(c) Ferdiad

Essay Topic 2

Choose either of the following:

(a) Explain and give examples that support the characterization of Cuchulain as a superhuman young man with magical qualities. Compare and contrast this with the character of Medb, as presented in the book. Why does the author present the characters this way?

(b) Cuchulain is also presented as fairly ruthless early in the book but later on we start to see his more vulnerable, human side. Compare and contrast these two sides of Cuchulain's nature, citing four examples for each.

Essay Topic 3

Hyperbole is a literary device that writers use to exaggerate characteristics or situations. It almost always appears in myths and legends.

(1) Give two examples from The Cattle Raid at Cooley that show how hyperbole is used in the characterization of Cuchulain in regards to: (a) his physical power, (b) his skills at a young age, and (c) his rage.

(2) Hyperbole is not used in describing Cuchulain's mental maturity. How is his mental maturity presented as lagging behind his physical strengths? Give two examples.

(see the answer keys)

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