English IV Part 1 - Unit 1 - Lesson 1 Quiz

Based on the text, Grendel is mainly seen by others as ___________.

monstrous

Which of the following statements best summarizes lines 144-300 of Beowulf?

A vicious monster continually attacks the Danes for 12 years, until a great warrior from a neighboring kingdom arrives by ship to try and slay the beast.

What is most strongly a similarity between Hrothgar and Grendel's mother in Beowulf?

Both of them are motivated by revenge.

There are some commonly adopted conventions in the structure and elements of an epic poem. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an epic poem?

It usually tells a tale of two star-crossed lovers fighting to be together.

When Beowulf requests that he alone "May purge all evil from this hall," what does he mean by purge?

Cleanse

Which of the following selections best explains Grendel's realization in the final paragraph of the excerpt (Grendel by John Garnder)? I staggered out into the open and up toward the hall with my burden, groaning out, "Mercy! Peace!" The harper broke off, the people screamed. (They have their own versions, but this is the truth.) Drunken men rushed me with battle-axes. I sank to my knees, crying. "Friend! Friend!" They hacked at me, yipping like dogs. I held up the body for protection. Their spears came through it and one of them nicked me, a tiny scratch high on my left breast, but I knew by the sting it had venom on it and I understood, as shocked as I'd been the first time, that they could kill me—eventually would if I gave them a chance. I struck at them, holding the body as a shield, and two fell bleeding from my nails at the first little swipe. The others backed off. I crushed the body in my hug, then hurled it in their faces, turned, and fled. They didn't follow.

Grendel realizes he must fight back against the Danes as long as they fear him.

Read this section from Beowulf (lines 1377 - 1383) and answer the follow-up question. Thence the welter of waters washes upwan to welkin when winds bestirevil storms, and air grows dusk,and the heavens weep. Now is help once morewith thee alone! The land thou knowst not,place of fear, where thou findest outthat sin-flecked being. Seek if thou dare! This region is best described as

Evil

Why did the speaker in "The Wanderer" leave his home?

His lord died.

Which of the following inferences about Hrothgar is best supported by the following passage (paragraph 1, Grendel)? Inspired by winds (or whatever you please), the old man sang of a glorious meadhall whose light would shine to the ends of the ragged world. The thought took seed in Hrothgar's mind. It grew. He called all his people together and told them his daring scheme. He would build a magnificent meadhall high on a hill, with a view of the western sea, a victory-seat near the giants' work, old ruined fortress from the world's first war, to stand forever as a sign of the glory and justice of Hrothgar's Danes. There he would sit and give treasures out, all wealth but the lives of men and the people's land. And so his sons would do after him, and his sons' sons, to the final generation.

Hrothgar believes victory should be displayed so the strength of a people can be acknowledged.

Which of the following best explains the meaning of the following lines (1326-1333) of Beowulf? "Ask not of pleasure! Pain is renewedto Danish folk. Dead is Aeschere,of Yrmenlaf the elder brother,my sage adviser and stay in council,shoulder-comrade in stress of fightwhen warriors clashed and we warded our heads,hewed the helm-boars; hero famedshould be every earl as Aeschere was!

Hrothgar wants the men to know that Aeschere was brave and good.

What literary device is most strongly represented in the following line from "Beowulf?" "Follower and the strongest of the Geats"

Kenning

From the background reading, British Literature & History: The Anglo-Saxon Period and Middle Ages (449-1485), which of the following best expresses a central idea in the section "Monasteries"?

Monasteries were integral in maintaining historical accounts and educating communities.

The author's purpose in writing Literary History: The Epic and the Epic Hero is most likely ____________.

To inform readers about a style of literature that contributes to an understanding of a people

In the background reading, British Literature & History: The Anglo-Saxon Period and Middle Ages (449-1485), what is most likely the author's reason for including excerpts from poetry, ballads, and songs?

To provide contextual sources that show the beliefs and cultural activities of the time period

The word cycles in the following passage most closely means ___________. The actors in such a scene were often common people, such as members of a bakers' guild, dressed up as biblical characters. In several cities in England, these plays were well attended, and as a result complete cycles developed, beginning with the creation of the world and concluding with the last judgment. These plays were known as mystery plays because they were performed by trade guilds (at that time mystery meant "trade" or "craft").

noun | series of creative works or performances dealing with a particular subject or theme

Grendel is written in ___________ tense, from a ___________ point of view.

past; first person

What does the wife think her husband is doing in "The Wife's Lament"?

suffering great sadness

Which sentence or phrase from the following passage (lines 1377 - 1383) includes hyperbole that supports that description? Thence the welter of waters washes upwan to welkin when winds bestirevil storms, and air grows dusk,and the heavens weep. Now is help once morewith thee alone! The land thou knowst not,place of fear, where thou findest outthat sin-flecked being. Seek if thou dare!

the heavens weep

From the background reading, British Literature & History: The Anglo-Saxon Period and Middle Ages (449-1485), the most heroic status an Anglo-Saxon could attain was as a ____________.

warrior

What is most closely the meaning of will as it is used in the passage below (lines 212-216) of Beowulf? "Men climbed eagerly up the gangplank, /sand churned in surf, warriors loaded /a cargo of weapons, shining war-gear /in the vessel's hold, then heaved out, /away with a will in their wood-wreathed ship."

| noun | a deliberate intention or act