Read the excerpt from the General Prolgue to the Canterbury Tales.There was a knight, a reputable man,Who from the moment that he first began Campaigning, had cherished the professionOf arms; he also prized trustworthiness,Liberality, fame, and courteousness.In the king’s service he’d fought valiantly,And travelled far; no man as far as heIn Christian and in heathen lands as well,And ever honoured for his ability.Read the same excerpt from the Middle English version of the General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales.A Knight ther was, and that a worthy man,That fro the tyme that he first biganTo ryden out, he loved chivalrye,Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisye.Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre,And therto hadde he riden (no man ferre)As wel in Cristendom as hethenesse,And ever honoured for his worthinesse.
Answer
A
Because English has not changed a lot since Chaucer’s time, the two versions of the text are nearly the same.
B
The modern English words are pronounced the same as the Middle English words, but they are spelled differently.
C
Though the Middle English words are spelled differently, the modern English words still look quite similar.
D
The modern version of the text is nearly unrecognizable when compared to the Middle English version.