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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. The giant is described as having the strength of how many men, according to the narrative in Chapter 10?
(a) Thirty.
(b) Five.
(c) Ten.
(d) Twenty.

2. Who is the lead Stranger said to have challenged to a swimming match in Chapter 11?
(a) Unferth.
(b) Breca.
(c) Beowulf.
(d) Hrothgar.

3. Who is Hrothgar's younger brother?
(a) Heremod.
(b) Hrothulf.
(c) Hygmod.
(d) Halga.

4. Grendel says that what is the worst pain in Chapter 10?
(a) Anger.
(b) Tedium.
(c) Death.
(d) Sleep.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Grendel ask the blind priest to tell him about in Chapter 9?

2. In Chapter 7, Unferth is accused of killing whom?

3. How do the Strangers arrive in Chapter 11?

4. In Chapter 7, Grendel counts his blessings but they are all numbered how?

5. The young priest tells the people that the gods made what for their joy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the effect Wealtheow has on Hrothgar's hall.

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

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. What does Grendel mean by saying that it is just as pointless to kill Wealtheow as to let her live?

5. Discuss the people's view of religion after years of Grendel's oppression.

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

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

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

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

10. The goat invading the mere can be seen as a symbol and foreshadowing. What does the goat stand for?

(see the answer keys)

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