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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 does the Squire ask to be excused for?

2. What gift does Thomas give the friar and his brothers?

3. Why is the Sultan baptized?

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

5. Why does the Franklin interrupt the Squire?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What is the purpose of the General Prologue?

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

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

7. Why is the Knight's Tale fitting for his character?

8. Why does the Host come up with the storytelling contest?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define conflict. Identify each type of conflict and give an example from The Canterbury Tales. Which type of conflict do you think is the most effective? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the setting of The Canterbury Tales. How does the setting of a pilgrimage contribute to the individual pilgrims' tales? How would the story be different if Chaucer had used a different setting?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the class system of the Middle Ages. How is the class system expressed in The Canterbury Tales? Is this effective in Chaucer's story? Why or why not?

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