1st year

TEST 1
“BEOWULF”
Variant 1
1. Describe what POETRY represents (including the most common types of poetry).
2. What is Old English literature? (write in your words)
3. What is an epic?
4. Pick the Right Answer!
1. In what dialect was Beowulf originally written?
A. Northumbrian
B. West Saxon
C. Anglo-Saxon
D. Jutes

2. Who were the Germanic-speaking tribes that settled on the island of Britain?
A. Angles, Saxons, and Jutes
B. Romans, Greeks, and Persians
C. Gauls, Franks, and Goths
D. Vikings, Normans, and Celts

3. Where does the action of Beowulf take place?

A. On the island of Britain
B. In Denmark
C. In Sweden
D. On the European mainland among the Danes and Geats

4. What kind of culture did the northern Germanic societies have at the time of Beowulf?
A. Christian
B. Warrior
C. Agricultural
D. Intellectual

5. What did people do for entertainment in the northern Germanic societies?

A. Gathered in mead halls to listen to tales of heroic achievements.
B. Went to the theater to watch plays.
C. Played musical instruments.
D. Read books.

6. What was the purpose of mead halls in the northern Germanic societies?
A. To celebrate loyalty and deeds of great strength and courage.
B. To provide shelter for the people.
C. To store food and supplies.
D. To hold religious ceremonies.

7. Who is the author of "Beowulf"?

A. A monk
B. Lawrence Nowell
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 C. An Anglo-Saxon king
D. Anonymous

8. In what language was "Beowulf" written?

A. Old Norse
B. Middle English
C. Old English (Anglo - Saxon tongue)
D. Modern English

9. When was "Beowulf" most likely composed?

A. 5th century
B. 10th century
C. 7th-10th century
D. 16th century

10. What is the significance of "Beowulf"?

A. It is the longest poem ever written.
B. It is the oldest known manuscript in existence.
C. It is the first poem to be written in Old English.
D. It is the only surviving work of its author.

11. How many lines does "Beowulf" consist of?

A. 3,182
B. 10,000
C. 1,000
D. 500

12. Who was the earliest known owner of the "Beowulf" manuscript?
A. The author
B. A king
C. A scholar
D. Unknown
5. There are ten main events in the story of Beowulf. Some of these are given below but you
need to complete the table. Write some information about each event in the story.

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ACTIVE VOCABULARY TASKS:
1) Match the words to their definitions:
1. mead-hall a) Nordic King's structure, center of the
community, a place for feasting, with ample
brewed beverages
2. foe b) a feeling of unhappiness and disappointment
3. lair c) a short, pointed knife that is sharp on
both sides, used especially in the past as
a weapon
4. successor d) someone or something that comes after
another person or thing
5. courageous e) a valuable object that has been given
by older members of
a family to younger members of the
same family over many years
6. kinsman f) careful not to forget about something
7. urge g) to fight with someone (especially as a sport)
by holding them and trying to throw them to
the ground
8. wrestle h) add something decorative to a person or
thing
9. adorn i) relative
10. heirloom j) brave
11. mindful k) a place where a wild animal lives,
often underground and hidden, or
a place where a person hides
12. dismay l) to strongly advise or try to persuade someone
to do a particular thing
13. dagger m) enemy
14. comrade n) valuable
15. perish o) without any success or any effect
16. precious p) become weaker in strength or influence
17. to no avail q) to die, especially in an accident or by
being killed, or to be destroyed
18. seize r) to take something quickly and keep or hold it
19. wane s) a friend, especially one who you have
been involved in difficult or dangerous,
usually military, activities with
20. swear an oath t) make a pledge