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 do Medb and Ailill think is responsible for Cuchulain's success in battle?

2. As Cuchulain watches the Irish army march south to Ulster, why does Cuchulain grow angry with the Irish army?

3. How does Cuchulain kill Mani, Medb and Ailill's son?

4. What is the result of Finnabair's death?

5. Where does Cuchulain sit waiting for Nathcrantrail to return?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Cuchulain kill the three men from macArach?

2. Cuchulain finally receives help in the form of a battle fairy. How does this fairy help him?

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

4. How do Medb and Ailill want to use their daughter Finnabair for their own ends? What is the result?

5. How do the Irish underestimate Iliach?

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

7. Why does Fergus decide to talk to Medb? What does he tell Medb about what Cuchulain wants to do?

8. What does Donn the bull do after Medb lets him loose after the battle?

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

10. Cuchulain lets Medb resettle her army, but meanwhile what is happening?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Define the literary term "antagonist". What is the role of an antagonist in literary works? Choose three of the characters below, and show why these characters are antagonists (with Cuchulain as the protagonist) in The Cattle Raid of Cooley (a) providing two examples of characteristics that make them an antagonist, and (b) providing two examples of situations where they behave as an antagonist..

a. Medb

b. Ailill

c. Morrigan

d. Etarcumul

Essay Topic 3

Explain what is meant by "plot structure". Explain the following elements in two or three sentences each, of plot structure as they apply to The Cattle Raid of Cooley:

a. Exposition

b. Rising Action

c. Climax

d. Falling Action

e. Resolution (or denouement).

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 952 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample