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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. Who suffers death by apple in Section VIII?

2. Why does Fergus fear Gaile Dana and his sons will kill Cuchulainn?

3. Where does Medb find the prized bull?

4. Which warrior agrees to fight Cuchulainn in Section VII in exchange for marrying Ailill's daughter?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is it that Loch almost defeats Cuchulainn?

3. What is Cuchulainn's unusual connection with the gods? How does his god-like father help him heal as the great army gets closer to Ulster?

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

5. Why does Cuchulainn strut around the day after his bloody, warp-spasm induced battle?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the protagonist in The Tain. Discuss the antagonist. Is there ever a time in the novel when it seems like they have reversed roles? Use the definition for the terms in your response.

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

Define falling action as an element of plot. Discuss in detail the falling action in The Tain. How did the translator present it? How did the falling action flow? How did the falling action add to the suspense of the story?

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