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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. How many sons does Gaile Dana have?

2. Who describes the massive number of warriors in Chapter XIII by their lineage?

3. What is the name of Medb's herdsman killed in Section VI?

4. Who is a criminal in Ailill's kingdom wishing to get pardoned by slaying Cuchulainn?

5. Which lieutenant meets with Cuchulainn and strikes a truce?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

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 3

What is a static character? What is a dynamic character? Identify two static characters and two dynamic characters from the story. Explain what about each one makes it either static or dynamic.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample