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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the subject of the Merchant's Tale?

2. Who does January marry?

3. What kind of language does the Host use to ask the Man of Law to tell his tale?

4. Who does the Man of Law say has already told all the good stories?

5. Who is the mysterious guest that appears at the king's celebration in the Squire’s Tale?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the Friar's Tale uncomplimentary to summoners?

2. Why is the friar in the Summoner's Tale ironic?

3. Why does the Narrator tell the Miller's Tale despite his concern of its vulgarity?

4. Why is the Wife of Bath's Prologue so long?

5. Why does the Host ask the Clerk to tell a tale after the Summoner's Tale?

6. What is the significance of Lady Constance's name in the Man of Law's Tale?

7. What does the Cook like about the Reeve's Tale?

8. Why are Palamon and Arcite jealous of each other when Arcite is released from the tower?

9. What makes the friar in the Summoner's Tale corrupt?

10. What is the purpose of the knight's quest to find what women most desire?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the church during Chaucer's time. Why are many church officials not looked upon favorably? What is the relationship between the general public and the church? Why? How does the situation with the church affect The Canterbury Tales?

Essay Topic 2

Explain chivalry. What pilgrims are chivalrous in The Canterbury Tales? How are they chivalrous? What role does chivalry play in the tales the pilgrims tell?

Essay Topic 3

Define satire. Explain the purpose of satire. How is it identified in literature? How does Chaucer use satire in The Canterbury Tales? Is it effective? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 575 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample