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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to the introduction to the Heroic Poems section, what do heroic poems link our Anglo-Saxon ancestors to?
(a) Geatland origins.
(b) Dutch origins.
(c) French origins.
(d) European origins.

2. According to The Laws of Wihtred, who is free from taxation?
(a) Scops.
(b) The Bards.
(c) The Church.
(d) Knights.

3. What does Beowulf give to Wiglaf to signify Wiglaf's rise to king?
(a) A sword.
(b) A banner.
(c) A goblet.
(d) A necklace.

4. What causes Beowulf's death?
(a) Dragon fire.
(b) He drowns in the ocean.
(c) He falls from a cliff.
(d) Dragon bite.

5. What is the name of the governing assemblies from the Anglo-Saxon period?
(a) Wyrds.
(b) Cleric-bards,
(c) Folk-moots.
(d) Soothslayers.

6. In what book are the "six so-called Elegies" found?
(a) Cathedral Chronicles.
(b) Exeter.
(c) Chronicles of Wyrd.
(d) Byron's Canon.

7. Why does the author say that Alfred failed to put some laws into writing?
(a) They were based on common sense.
(b) They only refered to those who were poor.
(c) They were based upon critical thought.
(d) They were only meant for those who could not read.

8. According to "The Wife's Lament," what "goes side by side with those who suffer longing for a loved one"?
(a) Solitude.
(b) Grief.
(c) Saddness.
(d) Anger.

9. What century was it when pagan Germanic tribesman "swarmed" into England?
(a) 6th.
(b) 4th.
(c) 7th.
(d) 5th.

10. How was the history and legends of the Anglo-Saxons transmitted?
(a) Written anthologies.
(b) Word of mouth.
(c) They were not discovered until late in the 14th century and then written down.
(d) Canons.

11. What is the name of Hrothgar's mead-hall?
(a) Heorot.
(b) Hroegrath.
(c) Hell's Hall.
(d) Hrendrelth.

12. What was the name of the man who witnessed Bede's death?
(a) Alfred.
(b) Wilbert.
(c) Stevan.
(d) Timothy.

13. Besides "The Wife's Lament," what is the only other Anglo-Saxon poem written by a woman?
(a) The Promise
(b) The Marriage-Oath.
(c) Wulf.
(d) Brazen.

14. According to the author of the introduction to The Elegies, what do many Anglo-Saxon poems fail to have a "sufficient frame" of?
(a) Reference.
(b) Time.
(c) Mood.
(d) Truth.

15. In how many "key relationships" did the heart of the Anglo-Saxon society lay?
(a) 4.
(b) 1.
(c) 3.
(d) 2.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Grendel unable to approach in Heorot?

2. How many shillings will it cost someone if they were to "breach the Church's protection"?

3. Who does the author of "The Battle of Brunanburh" state is a "man of discretion"?

4. In what year were Wihtred's laws issued?

5. During what century were the Anglo-Saxons converted to Christianity?

(see the answer keys)

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