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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 Narrator's name?

2. What does Absalom get from the blacksmith?

3. What vision did the friar in the Summoner's Prologue have?

4. Who helps the knight answer the question?

5. What does the Miller say his tale is about?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is it fitting for the Squire to begin the tale that he does?

2. Why are the characters in the Franklin's Tale rewarded?

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

4. What could be considered controversial about the Wife of Bath's Tale?

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

6. Why can there be no real determination of the outcome of the Cook's Tale?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the fragmentation that exists in The Canterbury Tales. Why do you think Chaucer left the fragments in the story? What does this reveal about his writing process? What does this reveal about him?

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

Define theme. Choose one tale and identify its theme. How is the theme expressed in the tale? How is the theme used to drive the story forward?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 585 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample