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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. Why does Fergus agree to face Cuchulainn in Section X?

2. How long will the Ulster warrior live if restored to full warrior ability?

3. Who warns Cuchulainn that Medb is planning to ambush him?

4. Whose sword is stolen in Section VI?

5. How does Cuchulainn kill the person sent to seize his javelin from him?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Medb and Ailill get Fergus drunk and send him to fight Cuchulainn, why doesn't Cuchulainn kill him?

2. How does Ailill use the town fool and why is Cuchulainn aggravated by the situation?

3. Why does Cuchulainn strut around the day after his bloody, warp-spasm induced battle?

4. What causes King Ailill's daughter Finnabair to fall dead?

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

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

7. Specifically describe Cuchulainn's warp-spasm when he is older.

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

9. Chapter XIII contains a long list of great warriors as described by two people. Who are the people and what differs about their descriptions of the great warriors?

10. How is it that Loch almost defeats Cuchulainn?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

What is the primary theme of The Tain? How does the author present this theme? How does the theme develop throughout the story?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the character, Cuchulainn, and his growth throughout the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 776 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample