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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 was sent to seize Cuchulainn's javelin from him?

2. Who does Cuchulainn summon to help scout the advancing army?

3. What kind of weapon does Cuchulainn and his foster-brother use on day two of their fight in Chapter XI?

4. How does Cuchulainn protect himself from Gaile Dana and his sons?

5. What convinces Ferbaeth to fight Cuchulainn?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. How is it that Loch almost defeats Cuchulainn?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

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

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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