Anglo-Saxon/Beowulf Test
English IV
Chapman
Answer the following questions. Read the directions for each section carefully. Please write the letter of your answer choice to the left of the number.
I.) Multiple Choice.
1.) At the beginning of the poem, Grendel terrorizes and kills the men ruled by: a.) Higlac c.) Edgetho b.) Hrothgar d.) Beowulf
2.) Beowulf slays Grendel to a.) save Hrothgar and the Danes from the monster b.) prevent Grendel from invading the land of the Geats c.) carry off the treasure in Grendel’s lair d.) add to his list of accomplishments
3.) Grendel finally shows fear when a.) he is held in Beowulf’s grip b.) Beowulf first approaches him c.) Beowulf’s men attack him d.) He runs back to his den
4.) Beowulf kills Grendel with a.) an axe b.) his sword and shield c.) a torch d.) his bare hands
5.) During the fight, how does Beowulf wound Grendel? a.)
He cuts off Grendel’s head. c.) He blinds Grendel. b.)
He tears off Grendel’s arm. d.) He stabs Grendel in the stomach.
6.)
Where does Grendel’s mother live? a.) at the top of a mountain b.) at the top of a tree c.) at the bottom of the ocean d.) at the bottom of a lake
7.) Grendel’s mother kills Hrothgar’s best friend and steals back a.)
Grendel’s arm c.) Beowulf’s sword b.)
Hrothgar’s throne d.) Wiglaf’s shield
8.) When Beowulf battles the dragon a.) his shield melts and his sword breaks b.) his loyal troops kill the dragon

c.) the dragon escapes, never to return d.) the dragon kills Beowulf’s kinsman, Wiglaf
9.) How does Beowulf die? a.) He dies of old age. b.) The dragon’s fire and fangs fatally wound him. c.) Wiglaf kills him in order to become King of the Geats. d.) He sails away and is never seen again.
10.) Beowulf is a.) a fable b.) a novel c.) an epic poem d.) a short story
II.) Match the character or term with the correct description. Write the letter to the left of the number.
11.) Beowulf
12.) Hrunting
13.) Edgetho
14.) Grendel
15.) Herot
16.) Wiglaf
17.) Hrothgar
A.) the mead-hall
B.) the monster who eats men
C.) sword used by Beowulf
D.) a warrior who kills the monster
E.) King of the Danes
F.) Beowulf’s father
G.) warrior who helps Beowulf defeat the dragon
III.) Short answer/Discussion
18.) What group did the Romans conquer when they invaded Britain?
19.) Name the 3 groups that invaded Britain after the Romans left and identify where they were from.
20.) What language was considered to be the scholarly or educated language of this time?
21.) Who was Alfred the Great?
22.) What was significant about The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles ?
23.) How does Beowulf kill Grendel’s mother?
24.) Who is Grendel descended from?
25.) Who will Grendel and others like him always fight against and what will always happen to them?

IV.) Vocabulary: Match the words from the given list below to the corresponding definitions. Each word should be used only once.
26.) A journey made to a place of religious or historical interest. _____
27.) The central figure in a long narrative poem that reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society. ______
28.) A force that oppresses or causes suffering. _____
29.) To stuff with food. _______
30.) The tendons that connect muscle to bones. _____
31.) To annoy. ______
32.) Payment to compensate for wrongdoing. _____
33.) To cleanse. ______
34.) Disgusting. ______
35.) A claw. ______
36.) Shadowy. _____
37.) Punishment in return for an injury. _____
38.) A long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger than life hero who embodies the values of a particular society. ______
39.) Discoloration caused by being bruised. _____
40.) The den of a wild animal. ______
Word List:
A.) Affliction
B.) Reparation
C.) Livid
D.) Vex
E.) Reprisal
F.) Lair
G.) Sinews
H.) Murky
I.) Pilgrimage
J.) Loathsome
K.) Epic
L.) Epic hero
M.) Gorge
N.) Purge
O.) Talon