Download from Beowulf Selection Test

Name:
Date:
from Beowulf
(with an excerpt from Beowulf, a
graphic novel)
translated by Burton Raffel; Gareth Hinds
Comprehension
Identify the choice that best answers the question.
FIRST READ:
1.
In Beowulf, why does Beowulf sail with his chosen companions to Hrothgar’s
kingdom?
to bring home treasures from that rich kingdom
b. to win glory by slaying a fire-breathing dragon
c. to help Hrothgar by destroying a monster
d. to take over the throne of Higlac
a.
2.
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.
c. Beowulf is the strongest of the Geats.
d. Higlac is Beowulf’s cousin.
a.
b.
3.
In Beowulf, how does Grendel die?
Beowulf grips Grendel and chokes him to death.
b. Hrothgar and Beowulf attack Grendel with iron spears.
c. In one-to-one combat, Beowulf tears off Grendel’s arm.
d. The companions of Beowulf attack Grendel with their swords.
a.
4.
In Beowulf, what is the main reason Wiglaf thinks that he and his companions
should help Beowulf fight the dragon?
Beowulf is too old and sick to fight.
b. Doing so will increase Beowulf’s chances of victory.
c. By fighting, Beowulf’s companions can claim shares in the monster’s
treasure.
d. In the past, they had promised to repay Beowulf’s kindness with their
loyalty.
a.
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1
GRADE 12 • UNIT 1 • SELECTION TEST
FROM BEOWULF (WITH AN EXCERPT FROM BEOWULF, A GRAPHIC NOVEL)
TRANSLATED BY BURTON RAFFEL; GARETH HINDS
Name:
Date:
Concept Vocabulary
Identify the choice that best answers the question.
FIRST READ:
5.
If a certain place can correctly be described as a lair, which of the following must
be true?
It serves as a rest stop.
It serves as a storage area.
c. It serves as a living or hiding place.
d. It serves as a place for storing weapons.
a.
b.
6.
Which of the following things would most likely be described as gruesome?
an unusual rock formation
b. an oddly shaped vegetable
c. a horrible automobile accident
d. a demanding physical challenge
a.
7.
If an animal can correctly be described as writhing, which of the following
must be true?
It is chewing.
b. It is enormous.
c. It is squirming.
d. It is multicolored.
a.
Analyze the Text
Identify the choice that best answers the question.
CLOSE READ:
8.
What does this statement tell you about Grendel, the first monster described in
the selection from Beowulf?
The monster’s / Thoughts were as quick as his greed or his claws. . . .
He is hungry.
b. He has sharp claws.
c. He is not trustworthy.
d. He has intelligence and cleverness.
a.
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2
GRADE 12 • UNIT 1 • SELECTION TEST
FROM BEOWULF (WITH AN EXCERPT FROM BEOWULF, A GRAPHIC NOVEL)
TRANSLATED BY BURTON RAFFEL; GARETH HINDS
Name:
Date:
9.
The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first and then Part B.
Part A Which of the following best summarizes the theme, or main lesson, of
Beowulf?
Might makes right.
Valor will triumph.
c. Brains are superior to brawn.
d. Wickedness cannot be defeated.
a.
b.
Part B Which excerpt from Beowulf best supports the answer to Part A?
Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy / Sword, hammered by giants,
strong / And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons. . . . (lines
528–530)
b. But so massive [a sword] that no ordinary man could lift [it]. . . . / He drew
it / From its scabbard . . . / lifted it high over his head / And struck with all
the strength he had left. (lines 531–536)
c. They spoke about Beowulf, / All the graybeards, whispered together / And
said that hope was gone, that the hero / Had lost fame and his life at once,
and would never / Return to the living. . . . (lines 564–568)
d. . . . Then the Geats’ brave prince entered / Herot, covered with glory for
the daring / Battles he had fought; he sought Hrothgar / To salute him and
show Grendel’s head. (lines 613–616)
a.
10.
Which choice best paraphrases the underlined words in this excerpt from
Beowulf?
. . . they could hack at Grendel
From every side, trying to open
A path for his evil soul, but their points
Could not hurt him. . . . (lines 370–373)
to kill him
b. to help him escape
c. to turn his soul to God
d. to drive him out of the hall
a.
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3
GRADE 12 • UNIT 1 • SELECTION TEST
FROM BEOWULF (WITH AN EXCERPT FROM BEOWULF, A GRAPHIC NOVEL)
TRANSLATED BY BURTON RAFFEL; GARETH HINDS
Name:
Date:
11.
The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first and then Part B.
Part A Which of the following is the most likely conclusion about Beowulf
that can be drawn from his battle with Grendel’s mother?
Beowulf was too old and weak to defeat Grendel’s mother on his own.
b. Beowulf had difficulty killing Grendel’s mother because she was so much
smarter than he was.
c. Beowulf triumphed over Grendel’s mother through his own strength and
determination to win at any cost.
d. Beowulf triumphed over Grendel’s mother through a combination of good
fortune and his own strength and determination.
a.
Part B Which excerpt from Beowulf best supports the answer to Part A?
. . . Then [Grendel’s mother] carried [Beowulf], armor / And sword and
all, to her home; he struggled / To free his weapon, and failed. (lines 477–
479)
b. . . . But her guest [Beowulf] / Discovered that no sword could slice her evil
/ Skin, that Hrunting could not hurt her, /. . . If weapons were useless, he’d
use / His hands, the strength in his fingers. (lines 493–505)
c. But [Grendel’s mother] rose / At once and repaid him with her clutching
claws, / Wildly tearing at him. He was weary, that best / And strongest of
soldiers; his feet stumbled / And in an instant she had him down, held
helpless. (lines 511–515)
d. Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy / Sword, hammered by giants,
strong / And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons / But so
massive that no ordinary man could lift [it]. . . . / [He] lifted it high over
his head / And struck with all the strength he had left. . . . (lines 528–536)
a.
Analyze Craft and Structure
Identify the choice that best answers the question.
CLOSE READ:
12.
Which of the following accurately state a reason to characterize Beowulf as an
epic? Choose three options.
It depicts a hero who is brought down by a character flaw.
It depicts a hero battling forces that threaten the world.
c. It is a story that is told in a serious manner.
d. It tells the story of the hero’s entire life.
e. It uses plain, straightforward language.
f. It uses elevated language.
a.
b.
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4
GRADE 12 • UNIT 1 • SELECTION TEST
FROM BEOWULF (WITH AN EXCERPT FROM BEOWULF, A GRAPHIC NOVEL)
TRANSLATED BY BURTON RAFFEL; GARETH HINDS
Name:
Date:
13.
Which of the following characteristics or actions most clearly shows that
Beowulf fits the definition of an epic hero?
He is quick to boast about his achievements.
He sails a great distance to help people in need.
c. He is as loyal to his followers as they are to him.
d. He fights with extraordinary strength and courage.
a.
b.
14.
Which of the following elements of Beowulf is most clearly an archetypal
pattern?
the sacrificial love of parents for their children
the friendship between the Geats and the Danes
c. the struggle between an evil creature and an exemplary hero
d. the importance of being honored in a foreign nation after death
a.
b.
15.
The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first and then Part B.
Part A Which of the following is the most likely reason that the author shows
Beowulf as a warrior at different stages of his life?
to show that Beowulf maintained the qualities of an epic hero until his
death and so deserves glory
b. to warn young warriors that their fighting powers will inevitably decline
and lead to their death
c. to portray Beowulf as a superhuman warrior who is never defeated
d. to persuade younger warriors to help older ones in battle
a.
Part B Which quotation from Beowulf best supports the answer to Part A?
That shepherd of evil, guardian of crime [Grendel] / Knew at once that
nowhere on earth / Had he met a man whose hands were harder; / His
mind was flooded with fear [of Beowulf]. . . . (lines 323–326)
b. [The dragon’s] breath flared, / And he suffered, wrapped around in
swirling / Flames—a king, before, but now / A beaten warrior. . . . (lines
703–706)
c. “. . . I [Wiglaf] swear that nothing / [Beowulf] ever did deserved an end /
Like this, dying miserable and alone. . . .” / Then he ran to his king, crying
encouragement / As he dove through the dragon’s deadly fumes. (lines
766–772)
d. And then twelve of the bravest Geats / Rode their horses around the tower
/ Telling their sorrow, telling stories / Of their dead king and his greatness,
his glory, . . . Praising him for heroic deeds, for a life / As noble as his
name. . . . (lines 854–859)
a.
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5
GRADE 12 • UNIT 1 • SELECTION TEST
FROM BEOWULF (WITH AN EXCERPT FROM BEOWULF, A GRAPHIC NOVEL)
TRANSLATED BY BURTON RAFFEL; GARETH HINDS
Name:
Date:
Word Study
Identify the choice that best answers the question.
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT:
16.
Which of the following is one correct meaning of the Anglo-Saxon suffix
-some?
a large number of a specific thing
a negative version of a specific thing
c. decreasing the intensity of a specific thing
d. tending to do or to be a specific thing
a.
b.
17.
The verb meddle means “to interfere in other people’s affairs without their
permission” or “to handle or change something in a way that is unwanted or
harmful.” Use this information as well as your knowledge of the suffix -some
to choose the correct definition of meddlesome.
nosy
b. cruel
c. helpful
d. obnoxious
a.
Conventions and Style
Identify the choice that best answers the question.
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT:
18.
Which of the following underlined phrases is an example of apposition in
which one noun phrase identifies another?
The mead hall was the center of activity for an Anglo Saxon lord and his
warriors.
b. The mead hall was a place where plans for defense and for conquest were
made.
c. The mead hall, a feasting place, was also where victories were celebrated.
d. The mead hall was impressive to visitors because of its splendor.
a.
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6
GRADE 12 • UNIT 1 • SELECTION TEST
FROM BEOWULF (WITH AN EXCERPT FROM BEOWULF, A GRAPHIC NOVEL)
TRANSLATED BY BURTON RAFFEL; GARETH HINDS
Name:
Date:
19.
In which of the following sentences is apposition most clearly used to
elaborate on a noun or noun phrase, rather than to simply identify the thing it
names?
The Romans, feared warriors and conquerors of much of the known
world, invaded the island now called England in 55 B.C.
b. After the Roman troops left, Germanic tribes, the Angles, Saxons, and
Jutes, conquered the island.
c. Around the eighth century, Angleland, the name of the island, was a
flourishing country.
d. The Vikings, tribes from Scandinavia, repeatedly invaded and looted
Angleland.
a.
20.
Which of the following sentences illustrates the use of diazeugma?
Anglo-Saxon monks studied scripture, but some also wrote histories of
their people.
b. Anglo-Saxon blacksmiths created swords that were works of art, from
their razor-sharp blades to their elaborate hilts.
c. Anglo-Saxon King Alfred of Wessex fought the Vikings, defeated them
soundly, and finally united the kingdoms of England into a single
country.
d. Anglo-Saxon warriors participated in sports, building their strength,
agility, and self-confidence, and learning to overcome all fears.
a.
Comparing Text to Media
Identify the choice that best answers the question.
21.
Which of the following is the most accurate comparison of the portrayal of
Beowulf in the graphic novel of Beowulf and in the original epic poem?
In the graphic novel, Beowulf appears nobler than he does in the epic.
b. In the graphic novel, Beowulf appears as brave and determined before
battle as he does in the epic.
c. In the graphic novel, Beowulf appears as a physical giant compared to his
warriors, as he also appears in the epic.
d. In the graphic novel, Beowulf appears frightened when he sees the
dragon, but in the epic Beowulf shows no fear.
a.
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7
GRADE 12 • UNIT 1 • SELECTION TEST
FROM BEOWULF (WITH AN EXCERPT FROM BEOWULF, A GRAPHIC NOVEL)
TRANSLATED BY BURTON RAFFEL; GARETH HINDS
Name:
Date:
22.
In the epic poem Beowulf, Beowulf and the dragon are described as eager for
battle when they meet.
The beast came closer; both of them
Were ready, each set on slaughter. (lines 674–675)
Which of the following techniques used by Gareth Hinds in his graphic novel
most clearly captures the hatred between the opponents conveyed in these
lines?
He uses a sound effect in capital letters—“CLANG”—to dramatize the
moment when Beowulf announces himself to the dragon.
b. He features a panel split between a close-up of Beowulf’s face and a
close-up of the dragon’s face as they prepare to battle.
c. He introduces a rich blue color in his depiction of the cliffs around the
dragon’s hiding place.
d. He uses an extra-tall panel to show the full height of the dragon when it
emerges.
a.
23.
The excerpt from Gareth Hind’s graphic novel Beowulf depicts the moments
just before the battle between Beowulf and the dragon. Which of the following
statements accurately compares the graphic novel’s presentation of this scene
with the presentation in the poem?
The presentation in the graphic novel builds suspense by showing the
long trek in the snow to the dragon’s lair. The presentation in the poem
builds suspense by describing Beowulf’s thoughts and feelings of
weakness as the battle progresses.
b. The presentation in the graphic novel carefully depicts the fierceness of
both Beowulf and the dragon. The poem’s presentation describes only
Beowulf’s fierceness, not that of the dragon.
c. Both presentations create tension—the graphic novel through wordless
images of Beowulf’s approach, the poem through vivid description of the
same scene.
d. Both presentations include details—images in the graphic novel, words in
the poem—that indicate the Geats’ fear that Beowulf may be defeated.
a.
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8