Middle Ages Study Guide
English 4
Miss Kinner
Exam Review
Name: ________________________________ Date: _______________ Hr: _____
The Middle Ages Exam will be given Friday, March 11th. This study guide is
mandatory. You are expected to complete this study guide INDEPENDENTLY on
your own time.
The materials that will be covered on the exam are as follows:
 “The Middle Ages”, in Notes available on Website
 “Lord Randall” and “Get Up and Bar the Door”, hand out, p. 196
 The Canterbury Tales, “The Pardoner’s Tale”, “The Wife of Bath’s Tale”, p.
115-166
 “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, p. 211-222
 “Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been” by Joyce Carol Oates
available on Website
 “Federigo’s Falcon”, p. 171-177
The exam will be exactly 100 Points. There will be 50 multiple choice questions and
one On-Demand essay
The following questions are in the order which they will appear on the exam.
The Middle Ages
1. After William the Conqueror triumphed at the Battle of Hastings, why did England
change?
2. What did Feudalism’s religious concept of hierarchy feature?
3. What determined if a woman was of “rank” or distinction?
4. How did the crusades influence everyday life in England?
5. What were effects of growth of European cities during the Middle Ages?
6. How did the 1170 martyrdom of Thomas a’ Becket lead to a change?
7. What was the most positive effect of the medieval church?
8. What did the signing of the Magna Carta signal
9. What was the result of the Hundred Years’ War between England and France?
10. What was the ultimate result of the Black Death?
Ballads
1.
What is a ballad?
2. How would you best describe the mother in “Lord Randall”?
3. What social class did ballads appeal to mostly?
4. How were ballads handed down?
5. What is the purpose of “Get Up and Bar the Door”?
6. How would you best describe the two gentlemen in “Get Up and Bar the Door”?
7. What are typical characteristics of a ballad?
The Canterbury Tales
The Prologue
1. What is Chaucer’s main objective in “The Prologue”?
2. Why are the pilgrims traveling to Canterbury?
3. Why do the pilgrims agree to tell tales during the journey?
4. How does Chaucer imply that the cook’s dishes are not appetizing?
5. How does Chaucer characterize the Wife of Bath?
6. What techniques does Chaucer use to reveal his characters?
7. How would you describe Chaucer’s characterizations of the Prioress, the Monk, and
anyone associated with the church?
8. Define imagery.
The Pardoner’s Tale
9. Why is it ironic that the Pardoner preaches against avarice?
10. How does the Pardoner earn his money?
11. Why do the rioters go looking for death?
12. How is death portrayed?
13. How is the ending of the story ironic?
14. What does the Pardoner’s tale reveal about him?
15. How does the Pardoner treat the host?
The Wife of Bath’s Tale
16. What is the knight’s quest?
17. According to the tale, what do women really want?
18. Why does the Wife tell her tale?
19. How does the knight show he has learned his lesson?
20. What is the old woman’s philosophy about fidelity?
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
1. How does the lady of the castle seduce Sir Gawain?
2. Why does he take the green sash?
3. Why does the Green Knight taunt Sir Gawain?
4. Why does Sir Gawain feel ashamed after his final confrontation with the Green
Knight?
5. What is the meaning of romance? How does this story qualify as a romance?
6. What elements do romances typically contain?
Essay
Pick TWO of the following and write a 8-10 sentence paragraph response for each
one.
1.
Discuss the character of Arnold Friend. What inspired Joyce Carol Oates to create this
character? Think about what his name might suggest. Comment on his car, clothes and
language. What does he represent in the story?
2. Discuss the character of Connie. What does she represent in the story? Comment on what
her name might mean.
3. What does “Where are you going, where have you been” tell us about good and evil?
4. What could the numbers on Arnold’s car (33, 19, 17) represent?
5. What is your understanding of the ending of the story? What happens at the end?