Epic Beginnings — Test Answers

Read the excerpt from a paper on Beowulf . Beowulf builds upon the message "good will overcome evil" by also including the message "those who overcome challenges are rewarded."

Read the passage about Grendel from Beowulf . For no cause whatever would the earlmen’s defender Leave in life-joys the loathsome newcomer, He deemed his existence utterly useless To men under heaven. Now, read the passage about Hrothgar from Grendel . Meanwhile, those who paid tribute to him were forced to strike at more distant halls to gather the gold they paid to Hrothgar—and a little on the side for themselves. His power overran the world, from the foot of my cliff to the northern sea to the impenetrable forests south and east. They hacked down trees in widening rings around their central halls and blistered the land with peasant huts and pigpen fences till the forest looked like an old dog dying of mange. Which is the most accurate comparison of the two passages?

Read the passage from Beowulf . At last for the Danemen, When the slaughter was over, their wish was accomplished. The comer-from-far-land had cleansed then of evil, Wise and valiant, the war-hall of Hrothgar, Saved it from violence. He joyed in the night-work, In repute for prowess; the prince of the Geatmen For the East-Danish people his boast had accomplished, Bettered their burdensome bale-sorrows fully . . . Based on the passage, what is most likely the Danish perspective on the battle?

Read the passage from The Rámáyan of Válmíki. His brother, fell before his feet, And cried, "Thy claim all men allow: O come, our lord and king be thou." But Ráma nobly chose to be Observant of his sire's decree. The reader can conclude that the passage is part of an epic poem because Ráma

Read the passage from The Rámáyan of Válmíki . His brother, fell before his feet, And cried, "Thy claim all men allow: O come, our lord and king be thou." But Ráma nobly chose to be Observant of his sire’s decree. He placed his sandals in his hand A pledge that he would rule the land: And bade his brother turn again. Then Bharat, finding prayer was vain, The sandals took and went away; Nor in Ayodhyá would he stay. But turned to Nandigráma, where He ruled the realm with watchful care, Still longing eagerly to learn Tidings of Ráma’s safe return.

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What is one effect of repeating Ráma's name numerous times in The Rámáyan of Válmíki ?

Read the passage from "A Shield." A lonely warrior, I am wounded with iron, Scarred with sword-points, sated with battle-play, Weary of weapons. I have witnessed much fighting, Much stubborn strife. Which feature most helps indicate to the reader that this modern translation was originally an Old English poem?

Read the passage from "A Shield." A lonely warrior, I am wounded with iron, Scarred with sword-points, sated with battle-play, Weary of weapons. I have witnessed much fighting, Much stubborn strife. From the strokes of war I have no hope for help or release Ere I pass from the world with the proud warrior band. Which is the best summary of the passage's theme?

Read the passage from "A Shield." A lonely warrior, I am wounded with iron, Scarred with sword-points, sated with battle-play, Weary of weapons. I have witnessed much fighting, Much stubborn strife. Which word from the passage helps characterize the shield as part of Anglo-Saxon culture?

Read the excerpt from Lena's paper on "A Shield." Based on the phrases "I am wounded with iron" and "I have witnessed much fighting," the shield in the poem must be an old shield carried by a seasoned warrior. In her statement, Lena is

Which sentence contains a gerund?

Read the sentence. Craving a more cosmopolitan lifestyle, the rural students were excited to travel to the city. The underlined phrase is a(n)

Read the excerpt from Dominique’s personal narrative. Student Work Tired of waiting for the bus, which was late for the fifth day in a row, I sat leafing through an old magazine I had stuffed in my purse the previous night. It was terribly warm for a September afternoon, and the sun cast fleeting shadows on the bus stop sign with each car that passed. I wondered when the weather would get cooler and when the new bus driver would start arriving on time. It was about then that I first noticed the apparent agitation of the man sitting next to me. Finally, the bus arrived and ambled to a gradual stop directly in front of the restless man. The doors widened, and the bus driver greeted the man with his usual banter in his usual monotone. "Good afternoon. How are you today?” When writing the next few lines of dialogue, Dominique should be certain that the lines

weather weath-er [ weth -er] [Middle English; Old English w eder, German Wetter ] noun 1. state of atmosphere 2. strong wind or storm whether wheth-er [ hweth -er] [Middle English; Old English hw ether , Old Norse hvatharr ] conjunction 1. used to introduce two or more alternatives Which sentence uses whether correctly?

What is an affix?

Read the excerpt from Spencer's narrative. Student Work As we waited for our new football coach to enter the locker room, we all secretly wondered what he would be like. Would he be tough but fair? Would he be demanding but understanding? Would he motivate us before each game with a rousing speech the way Coach Jackson always had? These thoughts were abruptly interrupted when our new coach entered the locker room, stood before us, and commanded our attention. "He" was a "she"! Our new coach was a female? Stunned, my mouth gaping, I barely heard what she said to the team next. Which element of a personal narrative would be best for Spencer to include next?

Which elements does strong narrative writing always contain? Choose three correct answers.

Read the sentence. Scheduled too hectically, the misbegotten tour zigzagging from state to state left the reporter weary from the road. Which part of the sentence is a participial phrase?

chron = "time" The definition of chron is useful to know because it functions as