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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 prize for the best tale?

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

3. Who sleeps with the miller's daughter?

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

5. Where are the Syrian merchants when they hear of Lady Constance?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. What is the basis of the Reeve's story? Why is this the basis for the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the role of the Host in The Canterbury Tales. How does he join the group's pilgrimage? Is he effective in his role? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 623 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample