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Worksheets

Beowulf - Test Review

Total questions: 133

Worksheet time: 5hrs 52mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following was a thane of Higlac in Sweden?

a)

Beowulf

b)

King Hrothgar

c)

Grendel

d)

Wulfgar

2.
Anglo-Saxon travelling poets were called 
a)
Scops
b)
Bards
c)
Minstrels
d)
Jongleurs
3.
Grendel caused problems for the Danes for
a)
a decade
b)
20 years
c)
one winter
d)
12 years
4.
How many men did Beowulf bring?
a)
14
b)
12
c)
30
d)
24
5.
How does Beowulf view Grendel?
a)
As a noble adversary
b)
As a savage monster
c)
As an evil fiend from hell
d)
As a misunderstood miscreant who just wants to know what love is
6.
Why does Grendel terrorize Hrothgar's men at Heorot?
a)
He avenged the death of his mother who was killed by Aeschere.
b)
He believed Hrothgar was his father and had ignored him.
c)
He wanted to be a loyal thane to Hrothgar, but they wouldn't let him.
d)
He was jealous because he was cursed, but they were blessed.
7.
What is alliteration?
a)
Rhyming of words within a line of poetry.
b)
Repeated beginning consonant sounds.
c)
A two word metaphor used in place of a noun.
d)
The rhythm of regular meter in a poem.
8.
Which of the following is an example of alliteration?
a)
Ava ate apples.
b)
Jumbo Shrimp
c)
Wound slurry
d)
Ty tied Trevor tightly.
9.
What is the purpose of the boasting Beowulf does in this poem?
a)
He needs to appear strong to keep his men loyal.
b)
He is applying for a job, and his boasts are his resume.
c)
He believes he is better than everyone else.
d)
He wants people to be afraid of him.
10.

What is a kenning?

a)

two-word metaphor used in place of a noun

b)

repetition of beginning consonant sounds

c)

giving non-human things human characteristics

d)

an understatement that illustrates the opposite of what it states

11.
Beowulf is from
a)
Denmark
b)
Geatland
c)
Germany
d)
Herot
12.
Beowulf
a)
is the strongest and greatest of all Geats
b)
is the strongest and greatest of all men in the world
c)
is an orphan who somehow found his way to Herot
d)
is summoned by Hrothgar to save his people
13.

What request does Beowulf make?

a)

He requests to go back home.

b)

He requests to kill Grendel.

c)

He requests some assistance in killing Grendel.

d)

He requests to have his name to be engraved on the sword used to kill Grendel.

14.

What is Beowulf's wish?

a)

to have one big party with food, mead, and socializing with women

b)

to kill another monster

c)

to send his armor to Higlac if he dies

d)

to become the king of the Danes

15.

What is a mail shirt?

a)

small iron rings riveted or welded shut, creating a mesh-net effect

b)

a shirt worn by the warrior's to protect them against evil spirits

c)

a shirt worn by the warriors that was easily disposable

d)

a heavy coat to protect the warriors against the cold weather

16.

"protector of the Danes"

a)

kenning with prepositional phrase

b)

alliteration

c)

a name for Beowulf

d)

a name for Grendel

17.

". . .death was my errand and the fate/They had earned." is an example of

a)

wyrd

b)

werguild

c)

kenning

d)

alliteration

18.

How many giants did Beowulf put in chains?

a)

5

b)

3

c)

14

d)

12

19.

Who went to meet Beowulf when he arrived?

a)

King Hrothgar

b)

Hrethel

c)

Wulfgar

d)

Edgetho

20.

". . .sworn to stay after dark/And stem that horror with a sweep of their swords." is an example of

a)

wyrd

b)

werguild

c)

alliteration

d)

kenning

21.

Why did Beowulf gather his men and board a ship?

a)

He heard that Hrothgar needed help with a monster.

b)

He was on a quest to kill giants.

c)

Beowulf wanted to destroy Hrothgar's village.

d)

Beowulf and his men were exploring new lands.

22.

What was Herot?

a)

Beowulf's home town

b)

the cave where Grendel lived

c)

the center of life and business

d)

Hrothgar's magnificent mead hall

23.

What woke up Grendel and made him attack?

a)

the horn blasting from Beowulf's ship

b)

the loud music and singing from the mead hall

c)

a crackle of thunder

d)

war drums

24.

What were the men singing about in Herot?

a)

God and the creation story

b)

the adventures of Thor

c)

their victories in battle

d)

German myths

25.

Who is Grendel's ancestor, according to the story?

a)

a witch

b)

Cain

c)

Abel

d)

the devil

26.

Why did God punish Grendel's ancestor?

a)

for eating the forbidden fruit

b)

for crucifying Jesus

c)

for killing his brother

d)

for tricking mankind

27.

What did Grendel do that was so terrifying?

a)

he ate little children

b)

he cursed their land

c)

he killed people as they slept

d)

he cursed their king

28.

Why wouldn't Grendel go near Hrothgar's throne?

a)

It was under a curse.

b)

It was protected by the Almighty God.

c)

It was guarded by Beowulf.

d)

It was hidden.

29.

How many men did Grendel carry away from Herot the first night?

a)

5

b)

20

c)

30

d)

50

30.

What did King Hrothgar have built to honor his men?

a)

A bridge

b)

A castle

c)

A mead hall

d)

A school

31.

What was the monster's name who attacked the men?

a)

Beowulf

b)

Hrothgar

c)

Grendel

d)

Higlac

32.

How long did the mead hall remain closed?

a)

One year

b)

Six months

c)

Five years

d)

Twelve years

33.

What does Beowulf decide to do when news of Grendel reaches him?

a)

He ignores it.

b)

He decides to travel to Denmark to kill him.

c)

He decides to join forces with Grendel.

d)

He recruits other country's warriors to help.

34.
Which of the following was a thane of Hygelac in Sweden?
a)
Beowulf
b)
Unferth
c)
Grendel
d)
Dunsinane
35.
Who is King of the Danes and for what problem does he need help?
a)
Beowulf; a superiority complex
b)
Ecgtheow; a hulking man/monster who ate all of his men
c)
Unferth; alcoholism
d)
Hrothgar; a hulking man/monster who ate all of his men
36.

How might one survive the monster's attack?

a)

stay and fight

b)

ignore him and he would go away finally

c)

distance was safety

d)

hide behind the throne

37.

Why did Beowulf decide to help the Danes now?

a)

Grendel wanted to fight Beowulf.

b)

It was duty, honor, fame and the omens were good.

c)

Hrothgar summoned him.

d)

Everyone expected him too.

38.

Who welcomed Beowulf?

a)

Hrothgar

b)

Wulfgar

c)

Higlac

d)

Healfdane

39.

the lines, ". . .keeping the bloody feud/Alive, seeking no peace, offering/No truce, accepting no settlement, no price/In gold or land, and paying the living/For one crime only with another. No one/Waited for reparation. . ." is an example of

a)

wyrd

b)

wergild

c)

fraternity

d)

comitatus

40.

What is the following sentence an obvious example of?


“Great bodies beating at its beautiful walls”

a)

Alliteration

b)

Assonance

c)

Kenning

d)

Old English

41.

What is the only thing that can destroy Herot?

a)

Wind

b)

Fire

c)

Water

d)

Gold

42.

Who did Grendel’s mother kill when she went to Herot?

a)

Hrothgar's closest friend

b)

Welthow

c)

Hrothgar

d)

Wiglaf

43.

What did Grendel's mother take with her?

a)

Grendel's head

b)

Hrothgar

c)

Beowulf

d)

Grendel's arm or talon

44.

How is the battle with Grendel's mother different from the one with Grendel?

a)

Grendel's mother has more weapons.

b)

Beowulf has home-court advantage.

c)

Grendel's mother is more powerful because of her anger.

45.
Why didn't Grendel's mother die when Beowulf threw the blade at her?
a)
The sword broke.
b)
The sword couldn't hurt her.
c)
The other monsters took the sword away from Beowulf
46.

Why is Beowulf in a battle with Grendel's mother?

a)

Beowulf wants to fight for the treasure.

b)

Beowulf is seeking fame and glory.

c)

Grendel's mother killed Higlac's best friend.

d)

He wants to rid Herot of all monsters.

47.

Why didn't the dagger kill Beowulf?

a)

His mail shirt protected him.

b)

The dagger split in half.

c)

Beowulf had magical powers.

d)

Beowulf blocked the dagger from hitting him with his strength.

48.

How did Grendel's mother die?

a)

Beowulf cut off her head using Higlac's sword.

b)

Beowulf cut off her head with Hrothgar's knife.

c)

Beowulf cut off her head with a giants' sword.

d)

Beowulf tore her head off with his bare hands.

49.

What did Beowulf do to Grendel's dead body.

a)

He cut off his head.

b)

He cut off his arm.

c)

He cut off his leg.

d)

He buried it next to his mother.

50.

What treasures did Beowulf take after defeating Grendel's mother?

a)

gold and silver

b)

the hilt of the sword & Grendel's head

c)

the heads of both Grendel and his mother

d)

gold rings, silver cups, jewels, and war ceremonial gear

51.

Who was among the Danes as Beowulf showed off Grendel's head?

a)

Brecca

b)

Welthow

c)

Welthow's sister

d)

Unferth

52.

How many hours did Beowulf swim down to the bottom of the monsters' lair?

a)

two hours

b)

three hours

c)

four hours

d)

ten hours

53.

What request does Beowulf make before he dives into the lake?

a)

If he dies, Hrothgar should take care of his men.

b)

His treasures should be sent to Higlac.

c)

He wanted to be put on a ship with his treasure which was set on fire and pushed out to sea.

d)

He wanted to be put on a ship with his treasure and buried in a barrow.

54.
Which sentence is correct...
a)
Beowulf dived into the lake and finds the cave, where he takes on Grendel's mother in another one-on-one battle.
b)
Beowulf dives into the lake and found the cave, where he takes on Grendel's mother in another one-on-one battle
c)
Beowulf dives into the lake and finds the cave, where he takes on Grendel's mother in another one-on-one battle.
55.
Which sentence is correct?
a)
At last Beowolf notices a sword hanging on the wall, an enormous weapon forged for giants.
b)
At last, Beowulf notices a sword hanging on the wall, an enormous weapon forged for giants.
c)
At last, Beowulf notices a sord hanged on the wall, an enormous weapon forged for giants.
56.
Beowulf's ability to swim underwater for hours is an example of...
a)
wyrd
b)
comitatus
c)
a larger-than-life hero trait
d)
elevated language 
57.
Most epic heroes have some kind of divine ancestry or are aided by gods in some capacity. 
a)
TRUE
b)
FALSE
58.
Epic heroes do not struggle with pride.
a)
TRUE
b)
FALSE
59.

"I shall shape glory with Hrunting, or death will hurry me from this earth!" (Lines 465-66)

This line is an example of which Anglo-Saxon value?

a)

Comitatus

b)

Kinship

c)

Wyrd

d)

Wergild

60.

How does the setting of the battle with Grendel's mother add to its epic significance?

a)

The atmosphere is dark and foreboding, which provides a clear contrast between good and evil.

b)

It is a dangerous, mythical, and fantastic setting.

c)

Beowulf shouldn't be able to survive down there, which only adds to his qualifications as an epic hero.

d)

It is vast in scope, covering great nations, the world, or the universe, and the action is important to the history of a nation or people.

61.
Grendel's Mother is a far more dangerous opponent because...
a)
Her sword is more powerful than Beowulf's.
b)
She has multiple arms and can attack Beowulf from all sides.
c)
She cannot be harmed by any ordinary sword.
d)
Beowulf cannot look her in the eye or else he'll turn into stone.
62.

Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons Grendel's mother is more dangerous than her son?

a)

She is surrounded by other creatures who also attack Beowulf.

b)

She is more vicious; she claws, tears, and rips at his flesh.

c)

She destroys his legendary, ancestral helmet.

d)

She can shape-shift, confusing Beowulf during their battle.

63.
"Mighty Water Witch"
This kenning refers to...
a)
Grendel
b)
Grendel's Mother
c)
Hrothgar
d)
Hrunting
64.

A kenning is...

a)

A combination of words that take the place of a noun

b)

A poetic device found in epic poetry

c)

A writing technique for elevating the language of a story

d)

When you take two words and combine them as a mild translation or metaphor for something else.

65.

Why does Beowulf toss his sword aside?

a)

It is useless against Grendel's mother.

b)

It's not sharp enough.

c)

Grendel's mother bites the blade in half.

d)

Wait, Beowulf had a sword? I thought he fought with his bare hands.

66.

What special item magically appears on the wall during Beowulf's fight with Grendel's mother?

a)

A magic wand

b)

A massive sword, forged by giants

c)

A battle axe, left behind by Grendel

d)

A bow and arrow, the only weapon that could kill her

67.

What two items does Beowulf take with him from Grendel's mother's lair?

a)

The hilt of Hrunting and Grendel's mother's head

b)

The hilt of the magic sword and Grendel's head

c)

Grendel's mother's head and Grendel's body

d)

The sword, Hrunting, and Grendel's head

68.

Why does Beowulf not take the treasure from Grendel's mother's lair?

a)

It is too well hidden.

b)

It burned up in the lake of fire.

c)

The treasure is cursed.

d)

Treasure is of no interest. Only glory!

69.

This is located in a fiery lake.

It is deep

It is at the edge

a)

the monsters' lair

b)

Beowulf's lair

c)

Herot Hall

d)

Hell

70.

How does Beowulf begin his fight with the dragon?

a)

He sneaks up and attempts to chop its head off.

b)

He summons him with a battle cry.

c)

He and his army of thanes storm its tower.

d)

Beowulf sends Wiglaf ahead to scout.

71.
How does Beowulf plan to fight the dragon?
a)
With his bare hands
b)
Using a giant's sword
c)
With his sword and shield
d)
Together with his thanes
72.

Why does Beowulf believe it is honorable to fight the dragon using a mail shirt, shield, and sword?

a)

Beowulf is much older and wiser now.

b)

The dragon cannot be killed like Grendel was.

c)

Beowulf plans to lie about the battle.

d)

He does not and plans to fight with his bare hands.

73.

How do Beowulf's men react when Beowulf begins to fight the dragon?

a)

They cheer on their king.

b)

They run to get help.

c)

They run and hide.

d)

They come to his aid.

74.
Which thane stays loyal and comes to Beowulf's aid?
a)
Wiglaf
b)
Welthow
c)
Higlac
d)
Unferth
75.

How does the final battle end?

a)

Beowulf kills the dragon but is mortally wounded.

b)

Beowulf dies and Wiglaf avenges him.

c)

Beowulf is victorious and his thanes celebrate.

d)

The dragon escapes.

76.

How does Wiglaf speak to the cowardly thanes?

a)

He berates the faithless warriors, reminding them of their duty.

b)

He forgives them as there was no way to defeat the dragon.

c)

He orders that they be executed immediately.

d)

He tells them that they will have to move to another country.

77.

What is Beowulf's dying wish?

a)

for Wiglaf to bury his body under the mead hall

b)

for Wiglaf to fetch the gold from the dragon's tower

c)

to write an epic poem about Beowulf's life

d)

to punish his cowardly thanes

78.
Who becomes king after Beowulf dies?
a)
Unferth
b)
Higlac
c)
Hrothgar
d)
Wiglaf
79.

How did Hrothgar reward Beowulf?

a)

He passed his crown over to Beowulf.

b)

He sang a song in Beowulf's honor.

c)

He gave Beowulf treasures and gold.

d)

He offered his daughter’s hand in marriage.

80.

How many years later is it when Beowulf is faced with the deed of killing the dragon?

a)

20

b)

50

c)

10

d)

25

81.

Why does the dragon attack the Geats?

a)

He needs food and desires human blood.

b)

He is not being worshiped anymore.

c)

A thief had stolen a cup from out of his treasure.

d)

He is lonesome like Grendel.

82.

In what way does Beowulf’s sword fail him during the fight?

a)

It has a spell on it so that it can’t hurt the dragon.

b)

It breaks apart when he strikes the dragon's scales.

c)

The dragon is able to melt the sword with its fiery breath.

d)

Beowulf drops the sword, and it stays out of his reach during the fight.

83.

Why does Wiglaf fight the dragon along with Beowulf?

a)

He didn’t want Beowulf to get all of the glory.

b)

He lost a bet with the other men.

c)

He respected Beowulf and knew his king needed help.

d)

He had a magical sword that could pierce dragon scales.

84.

What causes Beowulf’s death?

a)

Grendel’s mother stabs him in the heart.

b)

He is betrayed by Unferth.

c)

He doesn’t die; he is taken up to the heavens to live forever.

d)

Beowulf is wounded in the neck by the dragon's poison.

85.

Why did Wiglaf berate the other warriors saying they were “branded with disgrace”?

a)

They were trying to strike at the Dragon when Beowulf said not to.

b)

He was proud of their actions because they waited in the woods as they were told.

c)

He was disgusted that they did not come to the aid of their king when he was suffering.

d)

He will most likely be their king so he needed to begin his reign with a lecture.

86.

How was Beowulf honored by his men after his death?

a)

They had a feast in his honor.

b)

They forgave those who were responsible.

c)

They divided his newest treasure among themselves.

d)

They rode around his tower praising his heroism.

87.

Hrunting is...

a)

Beowulf's sword.

b)

The Danes' mead-hall.

c)

Grendel's home.

d)

Wiglaf's wife.

88.

Who wrote Beowulf?

a)

William Shakespeare

b)

Geoffrey Chaucer

c)

Gawain Poet

d)

Unknown

89.

Who made the sword that Beowulf takes from the Mother's lair?

a)

Magicians

b)

Grendel's mother

c)

Grendel

d)

Giants

90.

What does Beowulf carry out of the lake with him?

a)

Grendel's head and a sock

b)

Grendel's head and a sword hilt

c)

Grendel's head and a helmet

d)

Grendel's head and Grendel's Mom's head

91.

Where is Beowulf king?

a)

Geatland

b)

Norway

c)

Denmark

d)

England

92.

What does the dragon's love of gold and treasure symbolize?

a)

Fame

b)

Pride

c)

Faith

d)

Greed

93.

Which is a kenning?

a)

That famous prince fought hard

b)

God's candle rose high in the sky

c)

Shrek's mom jumped around

d)

The big shoe stepped on my foot

94.

Which is an alliteration?

a)

Yes, the dog is brown

b)

Beowulf leaped at the monster

c)

That famous prince fought with fate against him

d)

The giants sword was hot with magic

95.

What does Wiglaf represent?

a)

The savior of the story

b)

The antagonist of the story

c)

The representation of the value of kinsmenship

d)

The representation of the value of biological brothers

96.

When Beowulf describes how he wants to be remembered this shows?

a)

Humbleness

b)

Bravery

c)

Self-Importance

d)

All of the above

97.

What does Beowulf give Wiglaf before he dies?

a)

His blessing and all the gold to keep for himself

b)

Nothing

c)

His golden collar, his armor, and the new title

d)

The sword he used to fight the dragon

98.

What happened to the dragon's treasure?

a)

buried with Beowulf

b)

shared among the Danes

c)

given to Wiglaf

d)

shared among the Geats

99.
Who are the two tribes in Beowulf? 
a)
Danes and Geats
b)
English and Irish 
c)
English and Danes 
d)
Jutes and Irish 
100.

When Beowulf says, "I mean to stand, not tun from his shooting/Flames, stand til fate decides/Which of us wins," it is an example of

a)

wergild

b)

wyrd

c)

paganism

d)

comitatus

101.

Who gave the elegy for Beowulf?

a)

King Hrothgar

b)

Queen Welthow

c)

Wiglaf

d)

Ecgtheow

102.

Beowulf wanted the warriors to bury him how?

a)

build a barrow that passing ships might see

b)

dress him in his golden collar and his armor and bury him a sea

c)

bury him in the dragon's cave with all the treasure

d)

take him home to Geatland so he could have fame and glory

103.

How many warriors did Beowulf take with him to fight the dragon?

a)

50

b)

30

c)

11

d)

14

104.

How many loyal followers mourn Beowulf's death and praise him for his great character and deeds?

a)

11

b)

12

c)

15

d)

7

105.

Who is the King of the Danes?

a)

Higlac

b)

Hrothgar

c)

Herot

d)

Grendel

106.

Why does Grendel attack the Danes?

a)

They tried to kill him.

b)

They tried to kill his mother.

c)

They were too noisy and happy.

d)

They made fun of him.

107.
For how long does Grendel terrorize the Danes?
a)
1 year
b)
12 years
c)
10 years
d)
12 months
108.

Beowulf boasts that he will defeat Grendel. What is the final thing he says he will do before defeating the monster?

a)

He will overthrow Hrothgar.

b)

He will bring the dead warriors back to life.

c)

He will defeat Grendel with his bare hands.

d)

He will reinforce Herot Hall to help protect the warriors.

109.
Grendel's parents descended from...
a)
Satan
b)
Cain
c)
Abel
d)
God
110.
Beowulf and his men do which of the following to get Grendel to come into the hall?
a)
They taunt him.
b)
They promise him blood.
c)
They and many other soldier lay in wait, pretending to be sleeping.
d)
They kidnap Grendel's mother.
111.
True or False:  Grendel kills one Geat before Beowulf takes him on.
a)
True
b)
False
112.
How does Beowulf ultimately defeat Grendel?
a)
He rips his head off.
b)
He strangles him.
c)
He stabs him with his sword.
d)
He tears his arm off.
113.
Why can't Beowulf's men stab Grendel?
a)
They aren't strong enough.
b)
Grendel is too quick for them.
c)
Grendel's hide is too thick.
d)
Grendel has bewitched their swords so that they become blunt.
114.

What does Beowulf do with the 'trophy' he wins off of Grendel?

a)

He hangs it from the rafters.

b)

He chucks it into the ocean.

c)

He throws it in the fire.

d)

He encases it in gold.

115.

The name of the Mead Hall is

a)

Herot

b)

Hrunting

c)

Camelot

116.

Grendel kills ______ men when he comes the first time

a)

12

b)

15

c)

30

117.
Which is not a trait of an epic hero?
a)
great feats
b)
saves his people from harm
c)
doesn't want glory
d)
embodies Ango-Saxon ideals
118.
True or False:  Beowulf is the oldest known English epic poem.
a)
True
b)
False
119.

The main theme of Beowulf is...

a)

Courage vs. Cowardice

b)

Good vs. Evil

c)

Peace vs. War

d)

Love vs. Hate

120.

This bond between a king and his soldiers is the basis of both the Danes and Geats societies.

a)

scop

b)

wyrd

c)

werguild

d)

comitatus

121.

What does Beowulf use to defeat Grendel

a)

A magic sword

b)

His bare hands

c)

An axe

d)

Fire

122.

What does Beowulf hang as a trophy from the battle?

a)

Grendel's head

b)

His sword

c)

Grendel's heart

d)

Grendel's arm

123.

A classic hero who faces and conquers evil is

a)

Hygelac

b)

Hrothgar

c)

Beowulf

d)

Unferth

124.

How is Beowulf rewarded for his service?

a)

The claw of Grendel

b)

Treasure

c)

Honorary kinship

d)

Grendel's mother's head

125.

Where do Grendel and his mother live?

a)

in a cave

b)

bottom of a lake

c)

behind Herot Hall

d)

deep in the woods

126.

Whom does Beowulf ask permission to fight Grendel?

a)

George VI

b)

Hrothgar

c)

Unferth

d)

Welthow

127.
What makes Beowulf a legendary story?
a)
It takes place a long time ago.
b)
The story involves warriors and battles
c)
The hero is described as someone greater than all men.
d)
The people in the story are called Geats and Danes.
128.
What is the main conflict of the story?
a)
Man vs. Man
b)
Man vs. Deity
c)
Man vs. Supernatural
d)
Man vs. Society
129.

Which of the following is an example of a kenning?

a)

a terrible monster

b)

a hero of greatness

c)

mighty protector of men

d)

foolish coward

130.
Which of the following is not a kenning?
a)
helpless people
b)
sin-stained demon
c)
the Almighty's enemy
d)
hell's captive
131.

Besides the noise of the merrymaking, what is another reason Grendel may have wanted to attack the Danes?

a)

They had built their hall on his land.

b)

He had been cursed/banished by both God and man.

c)

Hrothgar was his father but disowned him.

d)

They had attacked his mother.

132.

What proof does Beowulf offer that he is up to the challenge of defeating Grendel?

a)

He tells stories of his previous battles with men and monsters.

b)

He challenges Hrothgar to a fight.

c)

He pulls a sword from a stone.

d)

He drinks Hrothgar's men under the table.

133.
When used to describe Beowulf, the phrase "ruler of warriors" is an example of what device?
a)
symbol
b)
kenning
c)
simile
d)
greeting