Beowulf Test

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

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.

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.

What seems to be Grendel's main reason for attacking the Danes in Herot?

• jealousy

• revenge

• punishment for theft

• desire for treasure

What seems to be Beowulf's main reason for coming to help the Danes?

• desire for power

• desire for treasure

• desire for fame and glory

• desire for revenge

Which statement shows one of the conventions of an epic poem?

• Higlac was the king of the Geats and Beowulf's uncle.

• In mist, invisibly following them from the edge of the marsh.

• ...of ivory, iron, and wood...

• the Danes started in new terror, cowering in their beds

Why does Grendel's mother attack Herot?

• to save her son

• to claim its riches

• to feed her family

• to avenge her son

How does Beowulf kill Grendel's mother?

• He wounds her with Unferth's sword.

• He wounds her with a magical sword he finds in her lair.

• He drowns her under the water.

• He pulls out one of her arms so that she bleeds to death.

"Beowulf's dagger, his iron blade, Had finished the fire-spitting terror" What literary device is "fire-spitting terror"?

• kenning

• rhythm

• metaphor

• alliteration

For how long does Beowulf rule the Geats?

• five months

• five years

• fifteen years

• fifty years