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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. Who convinces Cuchulaiin to go for more training?

2. What is given in exchange for the baby born at the inn?

3. Who kills Cuchulainn's son?

4. What, according to Cuchulaiin's girl, must he do without for one year?

5. From where does Cuchulainn capture a live wild deer and a flock of swans?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Cuchulainn get his name?

2. Why do the poets of Ireland gather in the section called "Before the Tain?"

3. Who is Setanta?

4. Who is Fedelm? What is unique about her and what message does she share with Medb?

5. What happens when Cuchulainn realizes he has killed his son?

6. How does Derdriu die?

7. Discuss "woman's thinking" as the great army nears Ulster.

8. What was the prophecy spoken of Derdriu?

9. Name three creatures that become involved in the epic battle between the two pig-keepers.

10. Why were the men of Ulster defenseless against a group of invading marauders? Why wasn't Cuchulainn affected?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define rising action as an element of plot. Discuss in detail the rising action in The Tain. How does the author present it? How does the rising action flow? How does the rising action add to the suspense of the story?

Essay Topic 2

What is inciting force and which character was the inciting force in this story? How did the character fulfill that role? Give three examples and discuss the importance of each one in detail.

Essay Topic 3

Irony is the contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. There are three types of irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic. Identify and discuss two examples of irony in the book. Which type of irony is it? What is expected and what actually occurs with your examples?

(see the answer keys)

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