View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What "paths" must the wanderer follow given "fate is inflexible"?

2. Who does the author of "The Battle of Brunanburh" state is a "man of discretion"?

3. How many shillings will it cost someone if they were to "breach the Church's protection"?

4. Who is jealous of Beowulf?

5. In "The Battle of Maldon," who does Byrhtnoth order to dismount?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the author of the introduction to "The Elegies" state that "The Ruin" is "an antiquarian's delight"?

2. What must Beowulf do to kill Grendel's mother?

3. What were the many reasons that Bede was renowned?

4. What does Beowulf say about his upcoming battle with Grendel?

5. Why does the author of the introduction to "Heroic Poems" call "The Battle of Maldon" one of "the best battle poems in the English language"?

6. What is the topic of the six "so-called Elegies"?

7. What is the basis of all elegies?

8. What does Beowulf do right after killing Grendel's mother?

9. Why was Hrothgar forced to close Heorot?

10. What were the two key relationships at the heart of Anglo-Saxon society?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of the Anglos were by trade seafarers. What did a typical seafarer face during their lives? What were the highlights of being a seafarer? What were the pitfalls of being a seafarer?

Essay Topic 2

The text gives six examples of elegies from the Anglo-Saxon period. Which elegy do you believe was the most important? Why? Support your answer textually--make sure that your answer includes the characteristics of an elegy and why your choice best exemplifies the traditional Anglo-Saxon period.

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think that riddles where important during the Anglo-Saxon period? What purpose did they serve? Why did they focus on the themes they did?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 789 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample