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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 men does Cuchulainn kill when Medb's army attack him at their "truce" meeting?

2. When the person sent to seize Cuchulainn's javelin was killed, what did he/she call the weapon?

3. How long will the Ulster warrior live if restored to full warrior ability?

4. With whom is Finnabair smitten in Chapter XII?

5. How does Cuchulainn finally end the fight between him and his foster-brother in Chapter XI?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the characteristics Joseph Campbell outlines for the mythical hero archetype. Which character best fits all of these characteristics and why?

Essay Topic 2

What is the primary theme of The Tain? How does the author present this theme? How does the theme develop throughout the story?

Essay Topic 3

There are four points-of-view in which literature is written: first-person, third-person objective, third-person limited, and omniscient. Which point-of-view is used in this book? Is this the most effective point-of-view for this story? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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