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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 happens when the friar returns to the convent?

2. What does the corrupt man's wife have?

3. How does the Cook react to the Reeve's tale?

4. Why is the apprentice cook able to revel all day?

5. Who is the focus of the Man of Law's tale?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why are the pilgrims confused by the Merchant's Tale?

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

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

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

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

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

10. What is the purpose of the General Prologue?

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

Explain the society in which Geoffrey Chaucer lived. What was the religious climate? What was the political and social climate?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the role of characters' names in the pilgrims' tales. How do characters' names contribute to the overall stories? Why does Chaucer use characters' names to contribute to the stories in this way?

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