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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 Franklin interrupt the Squire?

2. Who wrote The Canterbury Tales?

3. What is the Narrator's name?

4. Why does the Reeve feel the way he does about the Miller's Tale?

5. What does Nicholas tell John which allows him to spend the night with Alison?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the Man of Law tell a story he heard once before?

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

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

4. According to the Clerk's Prologue, what is the method for telling a good story?

5. What is the purpose of the General Prologue?

6. What is the Squire's plan before he is interrupted?

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

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

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

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

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 role of the Narrator in The Canterbury Tales. Is he a reliable narrator? Why or why not? Is he effective in his role? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the role of Greek literature and mythology on Chaucer's society. How does Greek mythology and literature play a role in the pilgrims' tales? What does this reveal about Chaucer's society? What does it reveal about the pilgrims?

(see the answer keys)

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