English IV Semester 1 Exam

In Beowulf, why does Beowulf sail with his chosen companions to Hrothgar’s kingdom?

• to bring home treasures from that rich kingdom

• to win glory by slaying a fire-breathing dragon

• to help Hrothgar by destroying a monster

• to take over the throne of Higlac

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From which fact in Beowulf can the reader infer that Beowulf is honorable?

• Beowulf refuses to use weapons because Grendel uses none.

• Beowulf vows to ambush Grendel and destroy the monster.

• Beowulf is the strongest of the Geats.

• Higlac is Beowulf’s cousin.

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In Beowulf, how does Grendel die?

• Beowulf grips Grendel and chokes him to death.

• Hrothgar and Beowulf attack Grendel with iron spears.

• In one-to-one combat, Beowulf tears off Grendel’s arm.

• The companions of Beowulf attack Grendel with their swords.

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In Beowulf, why did the Danes presume that Grendel's mother had slain Beowulf? Choose the best answer.

• They had seen his fellow Geats attack with their blades, to no avail.

• It was too much to hope for; no man could beat both those monsters.

• The graybeards told them it must be so.

• He had been underwater for so long, then they saw blood boiling on the surface of the water.

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If a certain place can correctly be described as a lair, which of the following must be true?

• It serves as a rest stop.

• It serves as a storage area.

• It serves as a living or hiding place.

• It serves as a place for storing weapons.

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Which of the following things would most likely be described as gruesome?

• an unusual rock formation

• an oddly shaped vegetable

• a horrible automobile accident

• a demanding physical challenge

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If an animal can correctly be described as writhing, which of the following must be true?

• It is chewing.

• It is enormous.

• It is squirming.

• It is multi-colored.

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What does this statement tell you about Grendel, the first monster described in the selection from Beowulf?

"The monster’s / Thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws."

• He is hungry.

• He has sharp claws.

• He is not trustworthy.

• He has intelligence and cleverness.

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Question 9 is paired with question 10. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A Which of the following best summarizes the theme, or main lesson, of Beowulf?

• Might makes right.

• Valor will triumph.

• Brains are superior to brawn.

• Wickedness cannot be defeated.

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Part B Which excerpt from Beowulf best supports the answer to Part A?

• "Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy / Sword, hammered by giants, strong / And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons. . . ." (lines 528–530)

• "But so massive [a sword] that no ordinary man could lift [it]. . . / He drew it / From its scabbard . . . / lifted it high over his head / And struck with all the strength he had left." (lines 531–536)

• "They spoke about Beowulf, / All the graybeards, whispered together / And said that hope was gone, that the hero / Had lost fame and his life at once, and would never / Return to the living. . . ." (lines 564–568)

• ". . . Then the Geats’ brave prince entered / Herot, covered with glory for the daring / Battles he had fought; he sought Hrothgar / To salute him and show Grendel’s head." (lines 613–616)

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