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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 board game does Cuchulainn like as a child?

2. Who saved Conchobor and his son Cuscraid from the battlefield after they were defeated by King Eogan?

3. Who decides to raise the evil child who screamed in the womb?

4. Who is the wise judge that Conchobor consults?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Emer's father plan to get rid of Cuchulainn? What is the result?

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

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

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

6. What was the prophecy spoken of Derdriu?

7. Who does Derdriu marry and how does their marriage occur?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define exposition and discuss the exposition of The Tain. What does the reader learn about Celtic culture from the exposition in The Tain? Is the information consistent throughout the book or does it change? Explain your answer and reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the protagonist in The Tain. Discuss the antagonist. Is there ever a time in the novel when it seems like they have reversed roles? Use the definition for the terms in your response.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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This section contains 675 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample