Beowulf quiz Pg. 36 - 71 Teacher document coordinated with Beowulf student document. Student document may be altered to fit teacher needs.
1.One reason that the Danes have such a difficult time fighting Grendel is that
a. / the Danes’ warriors are too oldb. / Grendel hunts only when it is full dark
c. / Grendel does not fight according to men’s rules
d. / the warriors do not have enough gold for swords
2.Which universal theme do lines 79–85 of this epic suggest?
a. / Mankind’s enemy will always continue his crimes by killing.b. / Evil is bloodthirsty, and it constantly tries to conquer kings.
c. / The existence of evil and good occur simultaneously.
d. / Evil is part of the darkness, but goodness exists in the light.
3.Why do the swords of Beowulf’s men fail to harm Grendel?
a. / The men have brought dull swords.b. / Beowulf refuses to let his men fight.
c. / The men are too weak to fight Grendel.
d. / Grendel has put a spell on their weapons.
4.Reread lines 425–434 of this Old English poetry. Which impression of the monsters do the alliteration and caesura in these lines help convey?
a. / Secret creatures live in a watery world that no one has ever seen.b. / They are as dark, mysterious, and impenetrable as their watery home.
c. / Those who seek the monsters will either freeze or burn.
d. / Monsters are hidden from human eyes and wisdom by huge cliffs.
5.What does Wiglaf’s fighting the dragon tell you about the importance of honor in the Anglo-Saxon period?
a. / A warrior protects his king even at the risk of his own life.b. / Courage is knowing when an enemy’s threat is too great.
c. / A king’s greatness is measured by his warriors’ courage.
d. / Fighting to the death is the only way to be immortalized.
6.What do the Danes do to avoid Grendel?
a. / hide beneath their bedsb. / sleep far from the hall
c. / sleep during the day
d. / sail to new lands
7.Grendel finally shows fear when
a. / he is held fast in Beowulf’s gripb. / Beowulf first approaches him
c. / Beowulf’s men attack him
d. / he runs back to his den
8.What do the alliteration and kenning in lines 474–478 of this Old English poem help convey?
a. / the supernatural qualities of each opponentb. / Beowulf’s iron will in battle with Grendel
c. / the fierceness and power of the attack
d. / Grendel’s worthiness as an opponent
9.Beowulf asks Wiglaf to be the next leader because Wiglaf
a. / defeats the dragon aloneb. / asks to be the Geats’ next leader
c. / stands with Beowulf to fight the dragon
d. / shows more strength than Beowulf does
10.Which is a universal theme in the epic Beowulf?
a. / Kingdoms survive and prosper through warfare.b. / There will always be another kingdom to help.
c. / Dragons and monsters await everyone.
d. / A good leader is brave and fearless.
11.Before Beowulf fights Grendel, what is the political and familial relationship between Hrothgar and Beowulf?
12.As Beowulf fights Grendel’s mother, where are his companions, and what are they thinking?
13.How is Beowulf a different man in his last battle than he was in his first two battles with Grendel and Grendel’s mother? Support your answer with two details from the epic poem.
14.How does Grendel’s home reflect his evil nature? Use two details from the poem to support your response.
15.Approximately how old is Beowulf when he fights his last battle? Use two details from the epic poem to support your answer.
16.Would you agree or disagree that Beowulf fights his last battle for treasure? Use details from the epic poem to support your answer.
17. In what ways is Beowulf a model of leadership for our own times? In what ways do his traits and skills fail to translate to our own times? Support your response with details from the epic poem.
18.What is a lair?
a. / a monster’s trapb. / a hero’s welcome
c. / a wild animal’s den
d. / the entrance to a cave
19.To gorge is to
a. / cover fullyb. / eat greedily
c. / laugh loudly
d. / greet happily
20.A talon is
a. / a clawb. / an arm
c. / a fang
d. / an elbow
21.What does infamous mean?
a. / creating many problemsb. / having a bad reputation
c. / showing a strong will
d. / losing few followers
22. Something that is loathsome is
a. / disgustingb. / bubbling
c. / swampy
d. / greedy
23.An affliction is a
a. / feeling of courageb. / way of conquering fear
c. / force that causes suffering
d. / journey through darkness
24.To purge something is to
a. / explain its originb. / bring something closer
c. / place similar items near it
d. / get rid of something undesirable
25.What does infamous mean?
a. / having a bad reputationb. / wearing armor or covering
c. / failing to attract followers
d. / known for failing to reach goals
26.Loathsome means
a. / invisibleb. / disgusting
c. / threatening
d. / disappearing
27.What does livid mean?
a. / drawn into a dark, scary placeb. / discolored from being bruised
c. / protected by loyal followers
d. / living in spite of injuries