Font size
WorksheetsBritish Literature - Semester 1 Final Review Packet
Total questions: 150
Worksheet time: 1hrs 15mins
The events associated with the years 450 and 1485, the beginning and end of the Middle Ages in England, are the __________.
Roman invasion and the Battle of Hastings
Germanic invasion and the crowning of Henry VII
Roman invasion and the victory by Canute
Germanic invasion and the Hundred Years’ War
Who invented the term Dark Ages to describe the medieval period?
Protestants
twentieth-century historians
Germanic tribes
eighteenth-century rationalists
Why did the inventors of the term Dark Ages describe the medieval period in this way?
They were aware of the spiritually benighted Europe under the shadow of Roman Catholicism.
They considered the time between the glory of Rome and the Renaissance to be devoid of enlightenment.
They were implying the barren interval between two great eras of achievement.
They were proud of the control and conquest that they achieved as they invaded and claimed new land for themselves.
The most accurate assessment of the Middle Ages is that the period was __________.
a barren interval between two great eras of achievement
a time during which society was at its best and life was uncomplicated
so varied that no generalizations can be made
a time of dynamic change
Which of the following is the proper order of England’s conquerors?
Anglo-Saxons, Romans, Vikings, Normans
Romans, Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, Normans
Vikings, Romans, Normans, Anglo-Saxons
Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans
The ruler identified with the Treaty of Wedmore is __________.
Canute
Claudius
Alfred the Great
William of Normandy
What became the language of business and of the ruling class after the Norman invasion?
Latin
Norwegian
French
English
From which of the following languages did the developing English language did not borrow heavily?
Gaelic
Latin
Scandinavian
French
Alfred’s concern for an educated leadership and the loss of Latin manuscripts in the Viking raids were primarily responsible for the __________.
founding of monasteries at Wearmouth and Jarrow
establishment of political and social ties with continental Europe
replacement of English with French as the official language of the ruling class
transmission of most Old English literature into the dialect of West Saxon
Which of these is not a common feature of Old English poetry?
similes
irony
alliteration
variation
Epics are traditionally __________.
didactic
realistic
humorous
brief
Reasons that epics are not generally written today include all of these except that __________.
novels have supplanted them
the notion of the antihero has become popular
most people tend to lack faith in ideal virtue
the oral tradition has gradually died out
Which of the following historical figures has no connection to Beowulf?
Alfred the Great
Bede
Canute
Cain
Beowulf is said to have a circular structure because __________.
it begins with the birth of a king and ends with the funeral of an aged king
it begins and ends with the funeral of an aged king
it begins and ends with the birth of a king
it begins with the funeral of an aged king and ends with the birth of a king
The traditional aim of a poet is to __________.
entertain by humor
distract by telling
teach by delighting
instill by repetition
In Beowulf, the Danes are being assaulted by Grendel because of their sin of __________.
greed
pride
envy
deceit
Beowulf begins with a __________.
wedding
parade
battle
funeral
In Beowulf, all of the following progressions take place except __________.
fortitude to prudence
solitary combat to use of comitatus
pride to greed
old age to youth
The main theme of Beowulf is that __________.
the continuance of civilization requires virtuous heroes
sinful men will inevitably ruin a triumphant hero’s successes
fortitude and prudence are the two requisites for success in battle
the difficulties of battles increase as a hero matures
One evidence of the mixing of pagan and Christian elements in Beowulf is the __________.
building of Heorot
assertion that Wyrd is Providence
burial of Scyld
description of Grendel as a fallen angel
Which word best describes the Danes’ reception of Beowulf?
hospitable
suspicious
grudging
indifferent
Beowulf’s father is __________.
Egctheow
Hygelac
Hrethel
Sigenew
What is the Anglo-Saxon term for fate?
Wyrd
mere
Scyld
nicors
In Beowulf, Hrothgar’s queen is ________.
Hygelac
Healfdene
Wealhtheow
Wiglaf
In Beowulf, why does Hrothgar’s welcome feast come to an end before nightfall?
Grendel interrupts the feasting.
Beowulf’s men are exhausted and need rest for the upcoming battle.
Hrothgar’s men still do not trust Beowulf and his men and want to leave the hall before dark.
Hrothgar cuts short the feasting because he knows that Grendel will come when darkness falls.
Beowulf mortally wounds Grendel by ________.
piercing his heart with a spear
crushing him
tearing off his arm
cutting off his head
The chief means of characterization in Anglo-Saxon poetry is ________.
framed dialogue
the formal boast
narration
the kenning
Riddle 1 about the shield reflects what common Old English theme?
virtues of the heroic ideal
progression of time from youth to old age
silent suffering or steadfast endurance
consequences of pride
Which word best describes the attitude of the shield and the weathercock in the Anglo-Saxon riddles?
fearful
resigned
excited
sympathetic
In Riddle 4, an iceberg is considered charming because ________.
its beauty tempts sailors to sail closer than is safe
the reflection of light from it during the day creates bright rays across the water
its shape and structure provide opportunities for scientific study
its size and strength can hold a settlement although it changes throughout the year
Which characteristic of an iceberg does the poet not discuss in Riddle 4?
beauty
height above men
hatefulness and cruelty
slowness to join combat
In Riddle 3, the weathercock endures all the following elements of nature except ________.
sunshine
rain
hail
frost
In Riddle 2, the irony of the book’s being devoured by a worm is directed against whom?
the book itself
the worm
writers
none of the above
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records events from the time of the ________.
Anglo-Saxon Alfred to the Norman Henry II
Anglo-Saxon Ethelred to the Danish Canute
Anglo-Saxon Edmund to the Danish Canute
Danish Canute to the Norman Henry II
According to The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Edmund faced all the following difficulties in his effort to defend England except ________.
greater mobility of the Danes
unseasonably bad weather
unreliability of his followers
conflicting loyalties in the Danelaw
In The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, William of Normandy lacked which heroic quality?
fortitude
prudence
generosity
loyalty
In The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which word best describes William the Conqueror as a ruler?
resourceful
generous
diplomatic
severe
In “The Character and Reign of William the Conqueror,” all of the following happened during William’s reign except ________.
Benedict founded Roman Catholic monasticism
the church at Canterbury was built
a monastery was built at Sussex
a survey was taken of all the property in England
In The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the chronicler’s stated purpose in writing about William of Normandy is to ________.
entertain
teach
recount history
write literature
In The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the chronicler says that William would have conquered what area if he had lived longer?
England
Normandy
Scotland
Ireland
What did the writers of the Middle English period declare to be the primary remedy for the ills of society?
a return to the ideals of the past
a positive perspective on the good within their present society
a separation from the discipline of the medieval church
a freedom from morals and absolutes
Old English literature reacted primarily against the ________ threat to society while Middle English literature sought to remedy the ________ threat to society.
pagan; Catholic
external; internal
foreign; domestic
political; economic
The event associated with the end of the English Middle Ages was ________.
the deposing of Richard II by his cousin Henry IV
the Black Prince’s victory at Crécy
the marriage of Henry II to Eleanor of Aquitaine
the ascension of Henry VII to the throne
Serfs received all the following from feudalism except ________.
protection
land to lease and farm
education
the right to court hearings
By the end of the Middle Ages, the new political power was based in the __________.
nobility
commercial class
clergy
peasant class
Which of the following reforms did Wycliffe seek?
the dissolving of monasteries
cancellation of most church celebrations
a Bible translation for the common man
all of the above
Which of the following is not associated with Wycliffe?
scholasticism
John Huss
Lollards
Great Schism
Wycliffe adhered to all the following beliefs except that __________.
worldly popes were Satan’s servants
Christ, not the pope, was the Head of the church
priests should practice celibacy
the Scriptures were the basis for true belief
Wycliffe is associated with all the following movements except __________.
nationalism
scholasticism
Lollardism
feudalism
Wycliffe is associated with all the following historical personalities except __________.
John of Gaunt
John Huss
Anne of Bohemia
“Bloody” Mary
In For the Order of the Priesthood, Wycliffe lists each of the following desirable priestly traits except __________.
obedience to temporal authority
purity of thought, word, and deed
diligence in study of Scripture
steadfastness and openness in teaching
In For the Order of the Priesthood, Wycliffe taught that the primary requirement for clergy is __________.
a thorough knowledge of Scripture
experience in dealing with unsaved and backslidden parishioners
the ability to preach Spirit-filled messages
a godly lifestyle
Chaucer resembles Wycliffe in his __________.
humorously expressed morality
historical detachment
religious criticism
governmental experience
All of the following statements about Chaucer are correct except that __________
his social conservatism waned during his later years
his variety of experience gave him insight into human nature and social institutions
he was born into the middle class, rose in the ranks of the aristocracy, and married into the nobility
he successfully used satire both to entertain and to show moral indignation
In The Canterbury Tales, what is the motivation for most pilgrims on the journey?
love of God
love of family
love of neighbors
love of self
The original plan for The Canterbury Tales projected about how many stories?
30
50
60
120
The Canterbury pilgrimage begins in __________.
spring
summer
autumn
winter
In The Canterbury Tales, the destination of the pilgrims is the shrine of __________.
John of Gaunt
Thomas Becket
Bernard of Clairvaux
Thomas Aquinas
Which dynasty claimed descent from Arthur?
Norman
Stuart
Tudor
Hanover
Who immediately succeeded Henry VIII?
Mary
Edward VI
Philip II
Elizabeth I
Elizabeth was especially proficient at __________.
mathematics
music
languages
painting
Protestantism reached its highest point in England during the reign of __________.
Henry VIII
Henry VII
Elizabeth I
Edward VI
All of the following men contributed to the victory over the Spanish Armada except __________.
John Hawkins
Lord Howard
Walter Raleigh
Francis Drake
All of the following factors contributed to the victory over the Spanish Armada except __________.
the structure of the ships
favorable winds
English courage
Spanish cowardice
During the Tudor period, the middle class gained power through all of the following means except __________.
the rise in power of local governments
the growth of the trade companies
the spread of the practice of bartering
increased membership in the House of Commons
Which decree officially divorced England from the Roman Catholic church?
the Act of Supremacy
the Act of Independence
the Act of Conformity
the Act of Uniformity
The doctrinal reformation of the English church occurred during the reign of __________.
Henry VIII
Edward VI
Mary
Elizabeth I
The work that resulted from the Marian persecution is the __________.
Book of Martyrs
Cranmer Bible
Book of Common Prayer
Great Bible
Elizabeth was most sympathetic to ________.
Lollardism
Puritanism
Catholicism
Lutheranism
Elizabeth’s religious policy is best described as ________.
antagonistic
vigorous
moderate
extremist
All of the following statements about Elizabeth’s reign are true except ________.
Elizabeth valued unity over principle
all English citizens except for Catholics were required to attend the state church
Elizabeth’s Prayer Book required ministers to wear special vestments
Elizabeth did not wish to antagonize Catholics
Shakespeare wrote in ________.
Old English
Early Middle English
Early Modern English
Modern English
Which of the following disappeared from the English language during the Tudor period?
thou as a personal pronoun
-eth as a tense ending
-est as a tense ending
all of the above
The leading English humanist during the Tudor period was ________.
Thomas More
John Colet
Thomas Linacre
Erasmus
Thomas More was not a ________.
Lord Chancellor
Charterhouse Monk
lawyer
teacher
More was beheaded because of ________.
his refusal to take an oath required to establish Anne Boleyn’s children as heirs to the throne
the publication of his Dialogue Concerning Heresies
his betrayal of Catherine of Aragon
his heresy in The Apology of Sir Thomas More
In his Dialogue, More argues that ________.
the large number of Protestant converts means that Tyndale’s teachings are attractive, not necessarily true
Tyndale’s teachings have resulted in a reduced number of pilgrimages by the faithful
although a large portion of Tyndale’s teaching is true, the scattered bits of falsehood poison the entire message
God does not want Tyndale teaching anything at all—not even the truth
In his Dialogue, which of these does More not list as witnesses to the truth of the Catholic religion?
theologians
martyrs
popes
widows and virgins
To which of these did More grant supremacy over the others?
Scripture
the Roman Catholic church
the state
reason
Each of the following men endeavored to put Scripture into the language of the common man except ________.
Luther
Wycliffe
Tyndale
Cranmer
In his arguments, Tyndale often employed ________.
personal attacks
question begging
analogies
humor
Which word best describes Tyndale’s debating style?
vindictive
ethical
scholarly
tolerant
The main subject of Tyndale’s Parable of the Wicked Mammon is ________.
salvation by faith
the priesthood of the believer
the authority of Scripture
the relationship of law and grace
In the first paragraph of the excerpt from Parable of the Wicked Mammon, Tyndale defines the “armor of God” as ________.
love
testing
holiness
promises
In the excerpt from Parable of the Wicked Mammon, what does Tyndale say is one of the two sure signs that one has eternal life?
peace with God’s people
disappointment in one’s inability to fulfill God’s law
the desire to perform good works
an ability to interpret Scripture correctly
Whom did Tyndale target as his main audience in An Answer unto Sir Thomas More’s Dialogue?
Thomas More
the clergy
God
the common man
In his Answer unto Sir Thomas More’s Dialogue, Tyndale declares that the true interpreter of Scripture is ________.
Christ
the clergy
the Holy Spirit
the common man
Who was the person most responsible for the organization and style of The Book of Common Prayer?
Thomas More
William Tyndale
Thomas Cranmer
Edward VI
The Book of Common Prayer takes the regular churchgoer through the Psalms how many times a year?
one
two
twelve
twenty-four
The marriage ceremony in The Book of Common Prayer emphasizes the principle of ________.
justification
fidelity
long-suffering
subordination
A point on which virtually all Reformers agreed was the __________.
need for a prescribed order of worship
rejection of any ritual not expressly commanded by Scripture
importance of a literal interpretation of the Lord’s Supper
predestination of the elect to salvation and sinners to damnation
The popular title of Foxe’s great work is Book of Martyrs; the more accurate title is __________.
Acts and Monuments
Trials and Persecution
Heroes of the Faith
A History of the Deaths of the Saints
John Foxe was ordained a deacon by __________.
Ridley
Latimer
Cranmer
Grindal
Foxe did not work on his Book of Martyrs during the reign of __________.
Henry VIII
Mary
Elizabeth I
Edward VI
Foxe personally preferred to write in __________.
English
French
Latin
German
Which word does not accurately describe Foxe’s writing?
honest
straightforward
polished
structured
All of the following men were martyred except __________.
Foxe
Tyndale
More
Cranmer
What was the name of Shakespeare’s wife?
Anne
Susanna
Judith
Lucy
Which term best describes the tone of the Shakespearean sonnets?
idealistic
pessimistic
realistic
didactic
How many of Shakespeare’s plays have been preserved?
27
37
47
50
All of the following are the titles of Shakespearean plays except __________.
The Merchant of Venice
Much Ado About Nothing
Venus and Adonis
Twelfth Night
In Act I, Scene ii, Macbeth’s bravery is established by all the following except the __________.
defeat of Macdonwald
capture of Cawdor
defeat of the king of Norway
defeat of Macduff
In Act I, Scene ii, Macbeth is associated with which person in character as well as title?
Thane of Cawdor
Thane of Glamis
King Duncan
Earl of Northumberland
In the struggle for Macbeth’s soul, which set of opposing forces is not valid?
Banquo versus Lady Macbeth
Duncan versus the Weird Sisters
Malcolm versus Duncan
Lady Macbeth versus Duncan
All of the following are prophecies about Banquo except that __________.
he will be both lesser and greater than Macbeth
he will be happier than Macbeth
his children will be kings
he will be king
In Act I, all of the following are images of evil that are prominently associated with Duncan’s murder except __________.
night
the raven
blood
the bell
Who is Macbeth’s final catalyst to murder Duncan?
Duncan himself
the witches
Banquo
Lady Macbeth
In Act I, Scene v, how does Lady Macbeth first learn of the witches’ prophecies?
Macbeth tells her when he arrives home.
The witches appear to her.
Banquo tells her.
Macbeth tells her in a letter.
Which of the witches’ three prophecies about Macbeth is not fulfilled by the end of Act I?
He would be Thane of Glamis.
He would be Thane of Cawdor.
He would be king.
both a and b
In Act I, Scene vii, what is Macbeth’s only real reason for murdering Duncan?
Duncan was a bad king.
Macbeth is ambitious.
Duncan was unjust in rewarding Macbeth.
Macbeth wants Banquo’s sons to be king.
In Act II, Scene i, Duncan’s gift to Lady Macbeth in gratitude for her hospitality is a __________.
fine silk cloak
diamond
new title to accompany Macbeth’s
gold ENSURE brooch
In Act II, Scene i, what is Banquo’s response to Macbeth’s request for his support?
He agrees immediately.
He agrees on the condition that he does not lose honor or violate his conscience.
He refuses immediately.
He says that it is his duty to tell Duncan of Macbeth’s plan.
What summons Macbeth in Act II, Scene i, to murder Duncan?
a bell
a raven
a dagger
an owl
Macbeth’s soliloquy at the start of Act II is prompted by __________.
the sound of a bell
the sight of an imaginary dagger
the howl of a wolf
an earthquake
The liquor Lady Macbeth drinks in Act II, Scene ii, makes her __________.
giddy
bold
sleepy
angry
In Act II, Scene ii, which of these is not part of Lady Macbeth’s plan to incriminate the grooms?
drugging their drinks
using their daggers
smearing them with blood
killing them
In Act II, Scene iii, what is the primary function of the Porter?
to further the plot
to provide comic relief for the audience
to condemn drunkenness
to foreshadow the murder
In Act II, all of the following are nature’s responses to Duncan’s murder except __________.
an owl killing a falcon
horses eating each other
an earthquake
a shooting star
Who discovers Duncan’s murder in Act II, Scene ii?
Ross
the Porter
Malcolm
Macduff
In Act II, Scene iii, Macbeth says that he killed the grooms because of __________.
anger
love for Duncan
justice
none of the above
According to Act II, Scene iv, where will Macbeth be crowned?
Scone
Inverness
Colmekill
Edinburgh
Who has served as a foil to Macbeth up to Act III of the play?
Macduff
Duncan
Malcolm
Banquo
According to Act III, Scene i, who is to be the guest of honor at the banquet?
Macduff
Banquo
Macbeth
Malcolm
What incident in Act III parallels an incident in Act I?
Macbeth’s speech to the murderers mirrors Lady Macbeth’s speech to him in Act I.
Macbeth’s musings after seeing the ghost echo his belief in “even-handed justice” in Act I.
Macbeth’s invocation to “seeling Night” parallels Lady Macbeth’s speech asking for the fortitude to kill Duncan.
All of these are parallels.
In Act III, Scene iv, all of the following are present at the banquet except __________.
Macbeth
Ross
one of the hired murderers
Macduff
The appearance of Banquo’s ghost at the banquet in his honor is an example of what type of irony?
situational
verbal
paradox
none of the above
According to Act III, Scene iv, Lady Macbeth associates what two things in her attempt to calm Macbeth’s behavior during the banquet?
Banquo and a serpent
dawn and peace
the ghost and a dagger
the stool and a worm
According to Hecate in Act III, Scene v, what is “mortals’ chiefest enemy”?
ambition
overconfidence
anger
greed
In Act III, Scene vi, Lennox contrasts Macbeth with whom?
Banquo
Duncan
Edward the Confessor
all of the above
In Act III, Scene i, which of the following is not one of Macbeth’s motives for murdering Banquo?
Banquo’s regal nature
Banquo’s brave attitude
Macbeth’s fears that he has sold his soul to give the throne to Banquo’s heirs
Banquo’s telling Malcolm that Macbeth murdered Duncan
The horrible witches’ brew in Act IV, Scene i, functions in which of the following ways?
It establishes an atmosphere of horror.
It prepares the audience for Macbeth’s violent demands.
It prepares the audience for the slaughter of Macduff’s family.
It functions in all of these ways.
Based on Act IV, Scene i, which of the witches’ prophecies is unequivocal?
the first
the second
the third
the second and third
Even after the appearance of the three apparitions in Act IV, Scene i, Macbeth wants to know what?
Is Macduff a threat?
Will he (Macbeth) ever have children?
Will England fight against him?
Will Banquo’s heirs ever reign?
In Act IV, Scene i, which is a result of Macbeth’s last visit to the witches?
He determines to kill Fleance.
He determines to kill Macduff’s family.
He rewards the witches for their prophecies.
He tells Lady Macbeth he is afraid of the future.
Based on Act IV, Scene ii, all of the following statements about the murder of Macduff’s family are true except __________.
Lady Macduff is bitter about her husband’s leaving them
young Macduff still believes in his father
the conversation between Lady Macduff and her son adds to the horror of their murder
Lady Macduff hides from the murderers but is found and killed
Two of Macbeth’s sins are mentioned but not displayed on stage?
lechery and avarice
violence and deceit
sloth and gluttony
malice and lying
In Act IV, Scene iii, what does Ross say would inspire Scotland?
Macbeth’s death
Fleance’s return
Malcolm’s return
news of the murder of Macduff’s family
According to Act IV, Scene iii, who is going to lead the English troops?
Ross
Lennox
Donalbain
Siward
According to Act IV, Scene iii, what prevents Macduff from getting complete revenge on Macbeth?
Macduff is in England.
Macbeth can die only once.
Macbeth has no children.
Malcolm forbids Macduff’s revenge.
At the end of Act IV, for what does Macduff pray?
that heaven would forgive him for leaving his family
that he might meet Macbeth face to face in battle and kill him
that heaven would strike Macbeth dead immediately
that he might be able to kill Lady Macbeth as Macbeth killed Lady Macduff
With what action does Act IV end?
Malcolm’s preparing to leave England with troops
Malcolm’s swearing to revenge Macduff
Macduff’s going mad with grief
none of the above
Lady Macbeth refers in her sleep to all the following specific incidents except __________.
Duncan’s murder
the murder of Macduff’s family
Macbeth’s reaction to Banquo’s ghost
the witches’ prophecies
Who does the doctor say can cure Lady Macbeth?
himself
God
Lady Macbeth herself
the weird sisters
Where do the loyal Scotsmen meet the English troops and Malcolm?
at Fife
at Scone
near Birnam wood
at Macbeth’s castle
What accounts for Macbeth’s initially confident mood in Act V?
his battle-ready forces
the assurance of the witches
his personal courage
favorable public sentiment
In his “Tomorrow” speech in Act V, Scene v, Macbeth describes life as all these except __________.
a candle
a shadow
an actor
a dream
In Act V, Scene v, what prompts Macbeth to realize that nothing frightens him?
the cry of the women upon learning of Lady Macbeth’s death
the sight of Malcolm’s forces
the reappearance of Banquo’s ghost
his memory of the witches’ prophecies
Macduff’s charge of cowardice to Macbeth in Act V, Scene viii, reminds the reader of __________.
Lady Macbeth’s spurring Macbeth to kill Duncan
Banquo’s speech to his murderers
Young Macduff’s speech to his murderers
Young Siward’s challenge to Macbeth
Who kills Macbeth?
Malcolm
Siward
Ross
Macduff
Malcolm says that Lady Macbeth died __________.
in the attack on the castle
by committing suicide
in an attack by Macduff
of natural causes
