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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 is a criminal in Ailill's kingdom wishing to get pardoned by slaying Cuchulainn?

2. How many healing options does the royal healer give to the Ulster warrior?

3. With whom is Finnabair smitten in Chapter XII?

4. Who mocks Fergus for going easy against his kinsmen at Ulster?

5. Section VI tells how the army is led to which community?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't Cuchulainn kill Fergus whenever the army is nearing Ulster?

2. Who is Cuchulainn's mortal father and what is his role in the war?

3. Why does Ailill enlist the help of a spy and what does the spy report back to Ailill?

4. Why does Ailill mock Fergus after he loses his sword? In what other way does Ailill mock Fergus and why?

5. Who is Cuchulainn's longest battle with and why?

6. Who saves Cuchulainn's life as he faces a man and his 27 sons?

7. Why does Cuchulainn refuse to leave Ferdia's corpse?

8. What are the two choices Cethern is given by the royal healer and which does he select?

9. How does Fergus lose his sword? What does he do without it?

10. How does the army attempt to move Donn Cuailnge from Black Cauldron to Conaille?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Name and define the five types of conflict. Which conflict prevailed in this novel? Select a different type of conflict and explain how this story would have differed under that particular type of conflict.

Essay Topic 2

What is the definition of main character? Name three main characters from The Tain and discuss the important role of each in the epic tale.

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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