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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. What kind of phraseology does Asser use in his book?

2. Which of the following themes does NOT characterize the political history of Anglo-Saxon England in the first half of the ninth century?

3. When did Asser write his Life of King Alfred?

4. What was nearly destroyed by the Vikings?

5. What is not recorded in Asser's book?

Short Essay Questions

1. List at least three events in Alfred's youth that probably influenced him.

2. What happened when Aethelwulf went with Alfred to Rome?

3. What happened when the Vikings brought 350 ships to England through the Thames?

4. Explain the personal struggle Alfred endured during the early part of his life and reign.

5. What three themes characterize the political history of Anglo-Saxon England in the first half of the ninth century?

6. Where does most of what we know about Alfred come from?

7. Explain Alfred's reform efforts during his reign.

8. What audience read Asser's Life of King Alfred?

9. Who were Alfred's children? What lives did they lead?

10. Into what three periods can Alfred's reign be divided?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast primary documents and secondary documents as they are used in historical research. Which of the resources used in Alfred the Great are primary? Which are secondary?

Essay Topic 2

Explain Alfred's goal in translating works into English. What works did he choose? Why did he choose these specific works?

Essay Topic 3

How did Alfred's people receive him as a ruler? What evidence supports this?

(see the answer keys)

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