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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 acts as a midwife, delivering a child at the inn?

2. What does Cuchulainn drink as an infant?

3. Who is Donn Cuailnge?

4. Which warrior lifted grown soldiers over his head?

5. Which drunk man slept with his sister?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What is a warp spasm and how does it benefit Cuchulainn when he fights the neighborhood boys as a toddler?

6. How does Derdriu die?

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

8. Describe the discussion between Ailill and Medb and what does it result in?

9. What does the owner of the prized possession think about the exchange offer and what is the ultimate result of it?

10. What is unusual about Fedlimid's pregnant wife?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the qualifications of Thomas Kinsella as a translator. What makes him an authority on the translation of The Tain.

Essay Topic 2

What is the difference between conflict and crisis in a novel? How are they similar? Also relate the differences and similarities specifically to The Tain.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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