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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What course of action does Red Horse suggest to Hrothulf in Chapter 8?
(a) Marrying Hrothgar's daughter.
(b) Running Away.
(c) Revolution.
(d) Murder.

2. Who is Halga's orphaned son?
(a) Heremod.
(b) Beowulf.
(c) Hrothulf.
(d) Hygmod.

3. In Chapter 7, How does Grendel resolve to kill Wealtheow?
(a) Throw her to the firesnakes.
(b) Bite off her head.
(c) Tear her limbs off.
(d) Roast her over the fire.

4. What does the old woman tell the children about in Chapter 10?
(a) A monster in the woods.
(b) A dragon in the mountains.
(c) A hidden underwater cave.
(d) A giant from across the sea.

5. What does the Stranger tell Grendel to write his poetry in, in Chapter 12
(a) Stone.
(b) Wood.
(c) Runes.
(d) Mud.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the lead Stranger said to have challenged to a swimming match in Chapter 11?

2. What do the women place on the Shaper's eyes in Chapter 10?

3. In Chapter 8, what does Hrothgar dream of?

4. Hrothgar refuses treasure so Hygmod offers what as a sign of the truce?

5. What does Grendel imagine the Stranger who fights him to be for a split second in Chapter 12?

Short Essay Questions

1. What similarities do you see between the brief account of Finn and Hnaef and Hrothgar and Wealtheow's brother?

2. What do Wealtheow's words to the sleeping Hrothulf mean?

3. Discuss the statement, "By deeds worth praise a man can, in any kingdom, prosper!" (112). How do these words from the Shaper contradict what the dragon told Grendel?

4. Describe the behavior of Grendel's mother. How are her actions altered by Grendel's increase in power?

5. Discuss Wealtheow's life at Hart and her unspoken feelings about her position as queen.

6. Does the Finn tale function only to foreshadow what will befall Hrothgar? Who else could suffer a similar fate?

7. Discuss Ork's behavior as he talks about the King of Gods.

8. Compare the bowsman hunting the hart to the priest coming to Grendel in the ring of gods.

9. Describe the lead Stranger. How does he act? What does he look like?

10. In Chapter 12, discuss Grendel's interpretation of why his mother does not answer him as he calls for her while fighting the Stranger.

(see the answer keys)

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