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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 the army scout for Ailill's army?

2. How does the second day of fighting end in Chapter XI between Cuchulainn and his foster-brother?

3. Who warns Conchobor of the approaching army in Chapter XII?

4. Who is the youngest boy sent off to war for Ulster in Chapter XIII?

5. Which woman does Cuchulainn resist in Section VIII?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What causes Cuchulainn's massive killings to stop as Ailill and Medb's army approach?

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

5. Why does Fergus fear a mere boy warrior, Erc?

6. 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?

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

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

9. Describe how Cuchulainn finally defeats Ferdia. Explain how the weapon he used works.

10. What, other than their fear of him, makes warriors not want to fight Cuchulainn? How does he get past this obstacle?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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