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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. In what city of England does the story take place?
(a) London.
(b) York.
(c) Cambridge.
(d) Canterbury.

2. What metaphor does the Third Priest use to compare the relationship between the King and the Archbishop?
(a) A wolf and a sheep.
(b) Fire and water.
(c) A hammer and an anvil.
(d) A rock and a hard place.

3. According to the Four Tempters, what is man's life?
(a) An inconvenience to God.
(b) A viscious cycle.
(c) A fleeting moment.
(d) A cheat and a disappointment.

4. What does the First Priest believe was Becket's character flaw that ultimately brought an end to his friendship with the King?
(a) Cowardliness.
(b) Laziness.
(c) Pride.
(d) Self-loathing.

5. How does the Fourth Tempter claim Beckett can have ultimate glory and power over the King of England?
(a) By becoming the Chancellor again.
(b) By giving his money to the people.
(c) By killing the King.
(d) By becoming a martyr.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the feeling of the general public in regard to the Archbishop's return?

2. How does the structure of the dialogue change during Becket's first temptation?

3. What does the Chorus claim is their purpose in the action of the play?

4. What is the first action that the Second Priest wants to take to welcome the Archbishop back to Canterbury?

5. What are the priests eager to know once the Messenger has delivered his initial message?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a literary tool that Becket uses in writing the interlude?

2. What are the tactics that Eliot writes into the speech of the Second Knight to persuade the audience to see their point of view?

3. What does Becket decide to do by the end of Part I?

4. How does the Chorus feel about Becket's return to England?

5. What is the part of King Henry II in the play and what is his relationship with Becket?

6. Why does the Chorus fear the "love of God?"

7. Describe how the town of Canterbury feels about Becket's return and why.

8. Who does the Fourth Knight believe truly killed Thomas Becket? What is his proof that this is true?

9. What is the tone of the Chorus' "death-bringers" speech after the Knights exit for the first time?

10. Why was the Fourth Tempter most effective in his temptation compared to the other three?

(see the answer keys)

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