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

2. How many wives has the Wife of Bath had?

3. Who is the focus of the Reeve's Tale?

4. Who is released from prison?

5. Who reminds the Cook he must tell a good tale?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define fable. Explain the uses of fables in literature. Explain the use of fable in The Canterbury Tales. Why is a fable a useful tale in The Canterbury Tales?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one pilgrim. Summarize his or her tale in a sentence or two. What is the tone of the tale? What is the theme? How is this tale fitting with this particular pilgrim?

Essay Topic 3

Define irony. Identify each type of irony and give an example from The Canterbury Tales for each.

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