Multiple Choice
Identify the
letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
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Critical Reading
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1.
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In
Beowulf, why does Beowulf sail with his chosen companions to Hrothgar’s
kingdom? a. | to bring home
treasures from that rich kingdom | b. | to help Hrothgar by destroying a
monster | c. | to win glory by slaying a fire-breathing
dragon | d. | to take over Higlac’s throne | | |
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2.
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Which
of the following lines from Beowulf contains an example of kenning? a. | “ ‘Higlac is my cousin and my king; the days / Of my youth
have been filled with glory.’ ” | b. | “Their
guide reined in his horse, pointing / To that hall, built by Hrothgar for the
best / And bravest of his men . . .” | c. | “The high
hall rang, its roof boards swayed, / And Danes shook with
terror.” | d. | “ ‘. . . I have come so far, / Oh
shelterer of warriors and your people’s loved friend, / That this one favor you should
not refuse me . . . ’ ” | | |
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3.
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From
which fact can the reader infer that Beowulf from Beowulf is honorable? a. | Beowulf refuses
to use weapons because Grendel uses none. | b. | Higlac is Beowulf’s cousin. | c. | Beowulf is the
strongest of the Geats. | d. | Beowulf vows to ambush Grendel and destroy the
monster. | | |
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4.
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What
does this line from Beowulf mean?
the
monster’s thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws
a. | He is
hungry. | c. | He has sharp
claws. | b. | He has intelligence. | d. | He is not trustworthy. | | | | |
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5.
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At
the end of the battle in Beowulf, the poet attributes Grendel’s defeat
to a. | Beowulf’s
strength. | c. | God’s
power. | b. | Grendel’s evil. | d. | Hrothgar’s luck. | | | | |
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6.
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Which
of the following best summarizes the theme of Beowulf? a. | Might makes
right. | c. | Wickedness
cannot be defeated. | b. | Brains are superior to brawn. | d. | Valor will triumph. | | | | |
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7.
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Which is the best paraphrase of the following passage from
Beowulf ?
So the living
sorrow of Healfdane’s son / Simmered, bitter and fresh, and no wisdom / Or
strength could break it: that agony hung / On king and people alike . .
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a. | Hrothgar felt a
strong and unending sorrow that he had no power to overcome. It affected both him and his
subjects. | b. | The king was in agony and out of his mind because of what his
people had done to him. | c. | Grendel was furious at the Danes and so he inflicted great pain
on the king and his people. | d. | Hrothgar felt an endless sorrow he couldn’t get rid
of. | | |
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8.
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Which
of the following lines from Beowulf contains an example of a caesura? a. | “. . . Hidden evil before hidden
evil.” | b. | “. . . Burns like a torch. No one knows its
bottom . . .” | c. | “. . . And golden cups and the glorious
banner . . .” | d. | “. . . And struck at the dragon’s
scaly hide.” | | |
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9.
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When
used to describe Beowulf, from Beowulf, the phrase “noble protector of all
seamen” is an example of a. | a caesura. | c. | a kenning. | b. | a
wyrd. | d. | an
alliteration. | | | | |
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Vocabulary and Grammar
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10.
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In
Beowulf, when Beowulf requests that he alone “May purge all evil from this hall,”
what does he mean by purge? a. | drive out | c. | cleanse | b. | overcome | d. | bury | | | | |
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