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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. Why does the knight's wife transform into a beautiful woman?

2. How does the Summoner react to the Friar's Tale?

3. How is the miller able to rob the manciple?

4. Who speaks out on the knight's behalf to change his punishment?

5. Who restores January's sight?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is the point the Summoner makes about friars with the anecdote in his Prologue?

4. Why does January say he wants to marry? Why does he likely really want to marry?

5. Why does Chaucer have the Franklin interrupt the Squire only to compliment him?

6. What is comedic about the Reeve's Tale?

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

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

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

10. How do the townspeople react to the situation after John crashes through the ceiling?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define personification. How is personification used in literature? Give an example of personification from The Canterbury Tales. Is this an effective use of personification? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the society in which Geoffrey Chaucer lived. What was the religious climate? What was the political and social climate?

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?

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This section contains 590 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample