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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. Which river in Section VI swells and carries off one-hundred chariots?

2. Who starts a war with Ailill's army after a truce is made with Rochad?

3. With whom is Finnabair smitten in Chapter XII?

4. What is the name of the royal healer who restores the Ulster warrior's health?

5. How many versions of how the army arrives in a new community are told in Section VI?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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