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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. Where do the pure black troop come from?

2. What is the most common response of both Owein and Arthur when the messengers bring them news about the battle between the men and the ravens?

3. Which of the following well-known Arthurian characters is not invoked by Culhwch when he asks his boon from Arthur?

4. How many times is Peredur able to mend the sword after cutting through the column?

5. Which of the following is not one of the results of the terrible scream?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Cei and Gwrhyr find Mabon Son of Modron?

2. Why does the author of "The Dream of Rhonabwy" say that nobody can remember the tale without a book?

3. Why does Llefelys travel to France?

4. Why does Cynon first approach the Hideous Herdsman?

5. Why does the lion choose to follow Owein?

6. How does Enid travel to Arthur's court?

7. What are the three plagues that strike Llud's kingdom?

8. What do the Arthurian figures Rhonabwy meets in his dream say about Rhonabwy's looks?

9. Why and how does Luned rescue Owein?

10. Why does Gereint decide to marry Enid?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several of the tales in The Mabinogion seem to have the transition from boyhood to manhood as their theme. Choose two of the tales below and for each, describe the attributes that the main character must gain in order to prove that he is a man, and how he obtains these. Choose from:

(a) "Culhwch and Olwen"

(b) "Math son of Mathonwy"

(c) "Peredur son of Efrawg"

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the character of Cei as he appears in the earlier tales and as he appears in the later romances, and describe how the portrayal of this character has changed over time. Use quotes from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

How do the earlier oral tales differ from the later romances? Your answer could consider features such as narrative style, setting and plot, as well as other features. Use at least two romances and two oral tales as examples to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 717 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample