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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How is the story of the Tain recorded?
(a) By oral tradition.
(b) In pictures.
(c) On cave walls.
(d) In writing.

2. What is the name of t he child who screamed in the womb?
(a) Fedlimid.
(b) Derdriu.
(c) Macha.
(d) Ness.

3. From where does Cuchulainn capture a live wild deer and a flock of swans?
(a) In a desert.
(b) In a forest.
(c) In the clouds.
(d) In a marsh.

4. Who does Medb send to kill Cuchulainn?
(a) Fergus.
(b) Fraech.
(c) Ailill
(d) Herself.

5. Whose child lets out an audible scream from the womb?
(a) Derdriu.
(b) Fedlimid.
(c) Nes.
(d) Macha.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is sent to find the story of "Tain Bo Cuailnge?"

2. How does the army circumvent the trap left in the road for them?

3. Who catches a "bug" from a drink of water?

4. Which child is reared by the entire community?

5. Who kills a guard dog?

Short Essay Questions

1. What vow does Cuchulainn make to himself and how is it related to the names of the fords and plains of the story?

2. What are the names of the two pig-keepers in the story and what unusual power do both have?

3. Why do the two pig-keepers in the story begin to compete with each other?

4. What one asset differs between the king and queen? Who is missing it and how does it make that person feel?

5. Why does Macha curse the men of Ulster?

6. Why does Cuchulainn spare Orlam's charioteer, then kill him later?

7. What does Fergus say about Cuchulainn's childhood?

8. Who is Setanta?

9. Who makes up Medb and Ailill's great army?

10. Who is the first person Cuchulainn kills with the gae bolga? Explain the circumstances that result in the death.

(see the answer keys)

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