View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which warrior lifted grown soldiers over his head?

2. What is the name of t he child who screamed in the womb?

3. Who steals Conchobor's weapons and chariot?

4. How many marauders attacked Ulster when Cuchulainn had to save it?

5. How many feats must Cuchulainn complete to win his girl's heart?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the prized possession being sought because of the king and queen's talk and where is it? What is offered in exchange for it?

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

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 Cuchulainn spare Orlam's charioteer, then kill him later?

6. How do the scholars learn the tale of the Tain in its entirety?

7. How did Cuchulainn get his name?

8. What was the prophecy spoken of Derdriu?

9. How does Conchobor become king of Ulster?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of Fergus to the story? How might the novel have differed if he had not been introduced?

Essay Topic 2

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?

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 786 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample