Complete the following exercises on The Middle Ages and Old English. Read each instruction carefully and answer in English in your notebook. The exercises cover historical context, linguistic features, vocabulary origins and Anglo-Saxon literature.
- Which event is traditionally considered the beginning of the Viking Age in England?
- A) The Norman Conquest of 1066
- B) The attack on Lindisfarne monastery in 793
- C) The arrival of Augustine in 597
- D) The Battle of Hastings in 1066
- Old English was an analytic language that relied mainly on word order, like modern English.
- Vero / Falso
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Anglo-Saxon poetry does not use rhyme; its main sound device is ___, the repetition of the same initial consonant in stressed syllables.
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Match each Old English kenning or word with its modern meaning. | Colonna A | Colonna B | |---|---| | hronrad (whale-road) | the human body | | banhus (bone-house) | court poet who recited epic tales | | scop | fate, destiny | | wyrd | the sea |
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Which group of words entered English from Old Norse during the Viking settlements?
- A) school, priest, altar
- B) sky, leg, window, they
- C) castle, prince, judge
- D) army, soldier, peace
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Briefly explain the difference between strong verbs and weak verbs in Old English, giving one example for each type.
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Invent an original Anglo-Saxon-style kenning for the word 'teacher' and justify your choice in two or three sentences, then write a single alliterative line of poetry (in English) that contains it.
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Write a structured paragraph (about 150 words) on Beowulf: when and where the manuscript was produced, the main events of the plot, and two stylistic features that make it a typical Anglo-Saxon poem.