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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 Man of Law say he will not use in his tale?

2. What is the Cook's name?

3. Why does the demon take the summoner to hell?

4. What happens when the friar returns to the convent?

5. Who interrupts the Squire's tale?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is the purpose of the General Prologue?

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

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

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

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

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

9. What concern does the Friar have about the Wife of Bath's Tale?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Explain the church during Chaucer's time. Why are many church officials not looked upon favorably? What is the relationship between the general public and the church? Why? How does the situation with the church affect The Canterbury Tales?

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?

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