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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Beowulf do with his "grisly trophy" of Grendel's defeat?
(a) Throws it in the fire.
(b) Nails it to the wall.
(c) Cooks and eats it.
(d) Throws it to the dogs.

2. What does Hrothgar give Beowulf that is so tough no steel can cleave it?
(a) A plated helmet.
(b) Shin guards.
(c) A shield.
(d) A suit of armor.

3. According to Beowulf, who was the first ashore in the swimming match with Breca?
(a) A whale.
(b) Breca.
(c) Beowulf.
(d) It was a tie.

4. Who is Wulfgar?
(a) Grendel's son.
(b) Beowulf's kinsman.
(c) The King's herald.
(d) Hrothgar's son.

5. Who does Unferth claim Beowulf lost a swimming match to?
(a) Hrothgar.
(b) Unferth.
(c) Breca.
(d) Wulfgar.

6. How many horses does Hrothgar give Beowulf and his men?
(a) 19.
(b) 3.
(c) 15.
(d) 8.

7. Who do the Danes honor the one man in Beowulf's party who was killed by Grendel?
(a) With a poem in his honor.
(b) They do not honor him.
(c) By re-naming the hall after him.
(d) With a song by the minstrel.

8. Where does Beowulf say he and his men are from?
(a) Germany.
(b) Sweden.
(c) Denmark.
(d) England.

9. How many men did Beowulf bring with him to Denmark?
(a) 50.
(b) 5.
(c) 13.
(d) 14.

10. After Beowulf tells the story of himself and Breca, what does he call Unferth?
(a) A brave man.
(b) A truthful storyteller.
(c) A coward.
(d) An idiot.

11. What attacked Beowulf while he was in the ocean with Breca?
(a) A pirate.
(b) Breca.
(c) A serpent.
(d) Sharks.

12. What does Grendel hate the sound of?
(a) Men's voices.
(b) Snoring.
(c) The harp.
(d) A warrior's battle cry.

13. What does Beowulf call Unferth's claims against him?
(a) A drunkard's tale.
(b) Utter lies.
(c) Hogwash.
(d) A fool's tongue wagging.

14. What did Beowulf and his men cross on their way to Heorot?
(a) The Jordan River.
(b) The Red Sea.
(c) The Pacific Ocean.
(d) The Baltic Sea.

15. What does Beowulf say his spears are made of?
(a) Ashwood.
(b) Oak.
(c) Steel.
(d) Maple.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many serpents did Beowulf slay in his story of the swimming competition between he and Breca's?

2. How long does Unferth say Beowulf wallowed at sea?

3. According to Beowulf, in the story of his swimming competition with Breca, who cried out for help?

4. Who tells Beowulf that Grendel can only be defeated by bare hands?

5. What are Grendel's arms described as being like?

(see the answer keys)

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