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Worksheets

Middle Ages and Canterbury Tales

Total questions: 65

Worksheet time: 5hrs 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What are the years of the Middle Ages period?

a)

0-500 AD

b)

449-1066 AD

c)

1066-1485 AD

d)

1500-present AD

2.
Who wrote The Canterbury Tales?
a)
Unknown
b)
Geoffrey Chaucer
c)
William Shakespeare
d)
Mr. Carter
3.
The Canterbury Tales highlights the social structure and stereotypes of people during the Anglo-Saxon period.
a)
true
b)
false
4.

The Canterbury Tales is a(n)…

a)

extended metaphor

b)

allegory

c)

frame story

d)

epic poem

5.
Where are the pilgrims headed?
a)
London
b)
Thomas a Becket's shrine
c)
Shakespeare's tomb
d)
Tabard Inn
6.
Besides the narrator, how many pilgrims are on the journey?
a)
15
b)
100
c)
50
d)
29
7.
Each pilgrim was supposed to tell how many stories total?
a)
2
b)
1
c)
4
d)
however many they wanted
8.

What is the code of conduct where knights were virtuous Christians who fought selflessly?

a)

Feudalism

b)

Chivalry

c)

Democracy

d)

Bro Code

9.

What is the name of the system where a king would give nobleman lands in exchange for his loyalty and service?

a)

chivalry

b)

feudalism

10.

Event where knights would ride towards each other with blunted lances (long poles) in attempt to knock each other off of their horse

a)

Joust

b)

Chivalry

c)

Squire

d)

Page

11.

Which Church official was the highest authority in the Church?

a)

Bishop

b)

Archbishop

c)

Pope

d)

Abbott

12.

Which group was the second highest in the social hierarchy?

a)

Knights

b)

Serfs/Peasants

c)

Kings/Queens

d)

Lords/Ladies

13.

Which group was the lowest in the social hierarchy?

a)

Knights

b)

Serfs/Peasants

c)

Kings/Queens

d)

Lords/Ladies

14.
Which of the following was an effect of the Plague on Europe?
a)
religion became less of an influence among people
b)
most usable farmland was poisoned or destroyed
c)
surviving peasants gained more economic power
d)
peasants developed greater loyalty to their monarchs
15.
In European feudal society, an individual's social status was generally determined by...
a)
 Birth
b)
     Education and training
c)
     Marriage
d)
     Individual abilities
16.
A widespread disease, or epidemic, spread by fleas on rats through Europe during the Middle Ages was known as:
a)
The Black Death/The Plague
b)
The Voice
c)
The Spanish Flu
d)
The Common Cold
17.

Who is known at the Father of English Poetry?

a)

Beowulf

b)

Geoffrey Chaucer

c)

William Shakespeare

d)

Burton Raffel

18.

During this period of time, which type of English was spoken and written?

a)

Early Modern English

b)

Modern Engish

c)

Middle English

d)

Old English

19.
What were the Crusades fought over?
a)
excommunication
b)
to control Europe
c)
the United States
d)
the Holy Land
20.

What determined a person's power and wealth in the Middle Ages?

a)

Gold

b)

Land

c)

Cash

d)

Spices

21.
Which of these did a girl’s education most often include? 
a)
logic
b)
cooking
c)
 astronomy
d)
mathematics
22.
One of the biggest causes of disease in medieval towns was 
a)
unsanitary conditions.
b)
poison in community wells. 
c)
refusal to use herbal medicines.
d)
lack of care by family members
23.
What season is described in the opening passage of The Canterbury Tales?
a)
summer
b)
winter
c)
spring
d)
fall
24.

Why might the Knight be dressed as he is?

a)

He has just come from battle.

b)

He's a slob.

c)

He's poor.

d)

He's no longer a knight and does not wear his armor anymore.

25.
The nun or Prioress was concerned with imitating what type of behavior?
a)
brave
b)
courtly
c)
unsophisticated
d)
loving
26.
What would you find the monk doing on a beautiful day?
a)
hunting
b)
praying
c)
caring for his ill aunt
d)
leading a sermon
27.
"She'd had five husbands, all at the church door".
a)
wife of bath
b)
host
c)
pardoner
d)
miller
28.
"Proposed the plan of storytelling on the way to and from Canterbury".
a)
reeve
b)
knight
c)
monk
d)
host
29.

Which of the following best describes the cook?

a)

very fancy dresser, always wanted to be first at the alter to give her offering, well-traveled, married 5 times

b)

big, brawny, tells dirty tavern stories, he is strong and plays the bagpipes

c)

has an oozing ulcer on his knee, questionable hygiene

d)

very poor, ideal parish priest,well-educated

30.

Which of the following best describes the Knight?

a)

brave and strong

b)

truthful

c)

modest clothing

d)

all of the above

31.

Which of the following best describes the Friar?

a)

bald and fat, has a preference for hunting and fine clothes, doesn't care for hard work

b)

receives payment for others' confessions, marries off young women, takes money from widows

c)

an expert woodsman, face "brown like a nut," carries peacock- feathered arrows

d)

loud, probably less busy than he pretends to be, wise

32.

Which of the following best describes the Merchant?

a)

forked beard, very good at business, makes money at others' expense

b)

loud, probably less busy than he pretends to be, wise

c)

white beard, spends his money freely, well-liked by other pilgrims

d)

has an oozing ulcer on his knee, questionable hygiene

33.

Which of the following best describes the Clerk?

a)

bald and fat, has a preference for fine clothes and luxuries, and doesn't care for hard work

b)

very thin, only loves books, spends all his money on education

c)

seems wise, made a lot of money as a lawyer, knew the law by rote, less busy than he seemed to be

d)

an expert woodsman, face "brown like a nut," carries peacock- feathered arrows

34.
What does the knight do to his opponents in battle?
a)
He kills them.
b)
He breaks their bones.
c)
He steals from them.
d)
He enslaves them.
35.
How does the Squire's appearance contrast with that of the Knight?
a)
He is very concerned with how he looks and wants to dress to impress.
b)
He dresses just like his father.
c)
He doesn't care what he looks like.
d)
He dresses like he is younger than he is.
36.
"Like his brother, he was an honest worker, good and true".
a)
plowman
b)
host
c)
merchant
d)
wife of bath
37.
"Could break down a door by running at it with his head".
a)
miller
b)
plowman
c)
cleric student
d)
(prioress) nun
38.

In what month do the pilgrims begin their journey?

a)

April

b)

March

c)

May

d)

June

39.
Which of the following best describes the squire?
a)
expert woodsman, strong, and loyal
b)
would rather be hunting, loves the outdoors, big sparkly eyeballs
c)
very thin, only loves books, spends all his money on education
d)
a ladies' man who plays the flute and is proud of his appearance
40.

What can the reader infer about the Friar from these lines?


But anywhere a profit might accrue

Courteous he was and lowly of service too.

a)

He helps other make money

b)

He is humble and servile.

c)

He has aspirations to be a merchant.

d)

He will use people for money.

41.

This pilgrim was an Oxford student who didn't say much, didn't have a job, and just loved learning for the sake of learning.

a)

The Clerk

b)

The Squire

c)

The Franklin

d)

The Prioress/Nun

42.

He seemed wise. He made a lot of money. He seemed busier than he really was.

a)

The Knight

b)

The Squire

c)

The Manciple

d)

The Sergeant at the Law

43.

He looked a little like Santa Claus. He liked to eat, drink, and be merry. He was a country gentleman with a dagger and a silk purse.

a)

The Yeoman

b)

The Franklin

c)

The Host

d)

The Pharmacist

44.

He was from Dartmouth, didn't ride well, and was a good navigator. He had little conscience about killing the enemy, and seemed rather like a pirate.

a)

The Miller

b)

The Knight

c)

The Reeve

d)

The Shipman

45.

This pilgrim was large and somewhat deaf, had a red complexion, wore a wide hat and spurs and had been married several times.

a)

The Host

b)

The Cook

c)

The Wife of Bath

d)

The Shipman

46.

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

47.

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

48.

He was old, choleric, and thin. He was a good manager and a 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

49.

He had a red face full of sores. He ate onions and drank too much. He would take bribes, 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

50.

This pilgrim sang in a strong voice, had long, yellow hair, bulging eyes, was baby-faced and carried a bunch of false relics to sell.

a)

The Friar

b)

The Monk

c)

The Pardoner

d)

The Prioress/Nun

51.
At a time when most people could not afford food, what does the nun's or Prioress's treatment of her dogs tell you about her?
a)
She is caring for her dog
b)
She does not care that others are starving and tends to her dog instead
c)
She always gives to the poor and to animals
d)
She is a devout nun.
52.
"Spoke the French language like someone who only learned it in school" 
a)
Reeve
b)
Friar
c)
Manciple
d)
Prioress (Nun)
53.
Which of the following best describes the Summoner?
a)
dresses in green, may be a little too concerned with appearance, an "expert" woodsman
b)
very delicate & refined, emphasis on appearance, speaks French
c)
loud, probably less busy and less wise, well spoken
d)
narrow eyes, black, scabby eyebrows, children are afraid of him, good at what he does
54.
The upper classes spoke __________
a)
English 
b)
Latin
c)
French
55.
The Canterbury Tales show what life is like during this time period.
a)
True
b)
False
56.

Which of the following best describes the squire?

a)

expert woodsman, strong, and loyal

b)

would rather be hunting, loves the outdoors, big sparkly eyeballs

c)

very thin, only loves books, spends all his money on education

d)

A courteous 20-something "lover and cadet, a lad of fire" who can sing, dance, joust, draw, etc

57.

Which of the following best describes the Yeoman?

a)

loud, less busy than he seemed to be, well-spoken, and very wise

b)

This "proper forester" is well-armed & "his head was like a nut, his face was brown"

c)

very thin, only loves books, spends all his money on education

d)

forking beard, very knowledgeable, money management is his downfall

58.

The member of the aristocracy who is portrayed as a perfect example of chivalry. He has just returned from The Crusades and is dressed plainly.

a)

The Pardoner

b)

The Summoner

c)

The Knight

d)

The Monk

59.

This pilgrim sells fake artifacts and makes "monkeys of the priest and congregation."

a)

Summoner

b)

Friar

c)

Pardoner

d)

Monk

60.
Which of the following was the "best" religious figure in the prologue to the Canterbury Tales? He lived by what he preached. 
a)
The Monk
b)
The Friar
c)
The Parson
d)
The Pardoner
61.

In The Canterbury Tales the Skipper is the character that ...

a)

the author considered a "proper forester" with a longbow and a face as brown as a nut

b)

made his prisoners walk the plank on his ship

c)

is a great hunter who used horses and greyhounds to bag his prey

d)

is both an author and a pilgrim

62.

The author describes the activities of the Friar with the lines, "...nothing good can come/ Of commerce with such slum-and gutter-dwellers." Which answer interprets Chaucer's feelings on the Friar's character the best?

a)

The Friar is a really lazy guy.

b)

The Friar is very careless.

c)

The Friar doesn't like being dirty.

d)

That the Friar is a snob only out for money.

63.

Which person does the narrator seem to dislike most?

a)

Sergeant at Law

b)

Oxford Cleric

c)

Knight

d)

Monk

64.

Who is the "best" character out of the ones listed below?

a)

The Wife of Bath

b)

The Summoner

c)

The Nun

d)

The Plowman

65.

Who is the "worst" character out of the ones listed below?

a)

The Squire

b)

The Yeoman

c)

The Franklin

d)

The Pardoner