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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 warrior refuses to fight Cuchulainn in Section VII?

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

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

4. What does Cuchulainn use to stain his face so that it appears "bearded?"

5. Who do the king and queen believe to be their final solution in killing Cuchulainn?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Describe Cur's attack on Cuchulainn. Who wins the fight and how?

5. How many healers tell Cethern he is beyond help? Who is the royal healer that finally agrees to help him?

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

7. What is Cuchulainn's unusual connection with the gods? How does his god-like father help him heal as the great army gets closer to Ulster?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Irony is the contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. There are three types of irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic. Identify and discuss two examples of irony in the book. Which type of irony is it? What is expected and what actually occurs with your examples?

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

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.

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