Canterbury Tales
The Prologue, The Pardoner’s Tale, and The Wife of Bath’s Tale
Please do not write on the test
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In “The Prologue,” Chaucer’s main objective is to:
a)
analyze religious customs
b)
describe a London inn
c)
introduce his cast of characters
The pilgrims are traveling to Canterbury because:
a)
The shrine of Saint Thomas a Becket is there
b)
They want to avoid the plague in London
c)
They plan to travel throughout England
The pilgrims agree to tell tales during the journey to:
a)
Preserve their stories for posterity
b)
Win a free meal and entertain each other
c)
Reduce fighting and bickering
How does Chaucer imply the Cook’s dishes are not appetizing?
a)
The Cook refuses to consult recipe books
b)
The Cook has a large, festering sore
c)
The Cook burns everything he makes
The Wife of Bath is a:
a)
Pious churchgoer and religious teacher
b)
Veteran of several pilgrimages and marriages
c)
Widow of prosperous doctor in Bath
According to the narrator, the Friar gave absolution to sinners only if they:
a)
Prayed for many days
b)
Showed that they were repentant
c)
Gave him money
The Summoner’s physical appearance could best described as:
a)
Average in every way.
b)
Revolting.
c)
Handsome in an unusual way.
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The pilgrim with the best tale during the journey will be rewarded with:
a)
A free dinner at the end of the pilgrimage
b)
A free pardon of sins provided by the Pardoner
c)
A free stay at the inn during the next pilgrimage
Who will be the judge who decides the best story?
a)
The Knight
b)
The Parson
c)
The innkeeper/host
The Knight was:
a)
Noble and honorable
b)
A wasteful landowner
c)
Well dressed
A haberdasher is someone who:
a)
Smashes rocks
b)
Runs errands for the nobility
c)
Sells hats and other clothing accessories
He had a red face full of sores. He ate onions and drank too much. He would take bribes. He had a
garland of flowers on his head and held a cake like a shield.
a. The Summoner
b. The Cook
c. The Haberdasher
d. The Miller
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He was old, choleric, and thin. He was a good manager and good carpenter, feared by the farm workers.
He usually brought up the rear of the party, lagging behind.
a. The Pardoner
b. The Friar
c. The Squire
d. The Reeve
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He knew his profession well, and took kickbacks from local apothecaries. He was not particularly
religious. He was dressed in red and blue-gray garments, and loved gold.
a. The Doctor
b. The Squire
c. The Pharmacist
d. The Manciple
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This pilgrim was truly Christ-like; patient, giving, holy and virtuous, and didn't believe in pomp or glory.
He practiced what he preached.
a. The Monk
b. The Friar
c. The Parson
d. The Pardoner
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He was the Parson's brother. He was an honest worker who paid his taxes on time.
a. The Reeve
b. The Plowman
c. The Shipman
d. The Haberdasher
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The Doctor loved:
a)
His patients.
b)
Good food.
c)
Gold.
The character that had gap teeth, red hose and sewed heavy handkerchiefs was:
a)
The Summoner
b)
The Haberdasher
c)
The Wife of Bath
The Yeoman was a member of the Knight’s household. He had:
a)
Mostly green clothing.
b)
Arrows on his back.
c)
Both A & B
Which of the following characters rode together?
a)
The Knight and the Wife of Bath
b)
The Pardoner and the Summoner
c)
The Plowman and the Merchant
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The Sergeant at the Law
a)
Looked busier than he was
b)
Liked books more than people
c)
Hated the church
The Oxford Cleric:
a)
Looked busier than he was
b)
Liked books more than people
c)
Was in love with the Wife of Bath
Answer this set of 23-26 if you read The Pardoner’s Tale
23. ______According to the Pardoner, the only purpose of his sermons is to
a. save souls.
b. serve God and the church.
c. amuse himself.
d. increase his wealth.
24. ______“The Pardoner’s Tale” mainly warns against excessive
a. greed.
b. drinking.
c. laziness.
d. optimism.
25. ______The Pardoner says he will tell his tale to the other pilgrims in order to
a. frighten them.
b. show that he is a very moral person.
c. demonstrate his preaching style.
d. save their souls.
26. ______The rioters in The Pardoner’s Tale are looking to:
b. steal eight bushels of gold florins from an old man.
c. find Death and kill him.
d. drink all day.
Answer this set of 23-26 if you read The Wife of Bath’s Tale
23. ______ At the beginning of her tale, the Wife of Bath says that fairies have been driven from the land by
a. young knights.
b. old women.
c. unfaithful husbands.
d. holy friars.
24. ______ According to the old woman, what do women most desire?
a. power over men
b. a nice home
c. wealth and expensive clothing
d. flattery
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25. ______ After he is married, the knight finally agrees to
a. accept the king’s sentence.
b. repent for his sins.
c. leave the old woman.
d. let his wife rule over him.
26. ______ The Wife of Bath tells the story of Midas and the ass’s ears to support her opinion that
a. women should rule their husbands.
b. Midas was a foolish man.
c. women cannot keep secrets.
d. men should always confide in their wives.
Words to Know: The Prologue:
27. ______ People who are frugal are
a. careless.
b. extravagant. c. not wasteful.
28. ______ A look of disdain communicates a person’s
a. discomfort.
b. disgust.
c. vanity.
29. ______ If you defer making a payment, you
a. refuse to pay.
b. agree to pay.
c. postpone the payment.
30. ______ Which of the following could be described as a malady?
a. a headache
b. a pretty face c. an argument
31. ______ In a debate, who is your adversary?
a. the opponent
b. your coach
c. the judge
32. ______. When you transcend your teachers’ expectations, you
a. fall short.
b. meet them.
c. go beyond them.
33. ______ If you saunter into the classroom, you
a. hurry.
b. walk slowly. c. dance.
34. ______ A person who shows covetousness can best be described as
a. thoughtful.
b. greedy.
c. generous.
35. ______ People who are dejected are
a. sad.
b. excited.
c. content.
36. ______ 83.A statute is a
a. memorial.
c. ceremony.
b. law.
37. ______ When you implore a friend for help, you
a. invite.
b. order.
c. plead.
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38. ______ Contemptuous people are best described as
a. scornful.
b. needy.
c. polite.
Words to Know: The Pardoner’s Tale:
For each phrase in the first column, find the phrase in the second column that is closest in meaning.
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saunter serenely AC
voracious vermin D
acquire avarice A
castigate cockers C
considerable covetousness AB
pal with pallor B
tremendously transcend AD
a. get greedy
b. colorless comrade
c. scold spaniels
d. ravenous rodents
ab. great grasping for gain
ac. stroll sedately
ad. enormously exceed
Words to Know: The Wife of Bath’s Tale:
For each phrase in the first column, find the phrase in the second column that is closest in meaning.
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trial and tribulation AB
cosset and coddle B
wise crone D
bequeath and bestow C
carping and contemptuous A
a. critical and disapproving
b. pamper and pet
c. endow and award
d. aged sage
ab. hardship and woe
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