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"The Canterbury Tales" Trivia Trivia Quiz

Hopefully this will challenge your knowledge of "The Canterbury Tales" and introduce you if you aren't familiar with the work.

A multiple-choice quiz by LuckyLulu27. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
LuckyLulu27

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
101,071

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1003

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. How many people are going on the pilgrimage to Canterbury? Hint

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Question 2 of 10

2. How many tales will each pilgrim tell, there and back?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 3 of 10

3. "The Nonnes Preestes Tale" is an example of what? Hint

beast fable

miraculum

exemplum

Romantic

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which of the following quotes describe the Parson? Hint

"A manly man, to been an abbot able."

"He taughte, and first he folwed it himselve."

"Somwhat he lipsed, for his wantownesse,"

"Of his visage children were aferd."

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Question 5 of 10

5. Why is the fact that Chaucer wrote in English so important? Hint

Because he was from Scotland and spoke Gaelic.

Because he was blind.

Because writing was outlawed in England during the 14th century.

Because the official language of England was French.

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of the following is NOT something that Chaucer used in "The Canterbury Tales?" Hint

iambic pentameter

sonnets

heroic (open) couplets

enjambment

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Question 7 of 10

7. Whose tale tells about three men seeking Death?

Answer: (One Word. The... Paired with Summoner)

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the following was not one of the pilgrims? Hint

Shipman

Reeve

Plowman

Schoolteacher

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Question 9 of 10

9. True or False: The Wife of Bath tells a tale about a rooster named Chauntecleer.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. How many tales did Chaucer complete before he died? Hint

120

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. How many people are going on the pilgrimage to Canterbury?

Answer: 30

There are nine and twenty pilgrims, plus the Host (who doesn't tell any tales).

2. How many tales will each pilgrim tell, there and back?

Answer: 4

They are each going to tell two tales there and two tales on the way back. Whoever tells the best tale wins dinner, paid for by the rest of the group.

3. "The Nonnes Preestes Tale" is an example of what?

Answer: beast fable

A beast fable is an animal fable that has a moral. An exemplum displays some kind of moral, a miraculum displays some kind of miracle, and Romantic tales generally involve knights and chivalry.

4. Which of the following quotes describe the Parson?

Answer: "He taughte, and first he folwed it himselve."

"A manly man..." refers to the Monk, "Somwhat he lipsed..." refers to the Friar, and "Of his visage..." refers to the Summoner.
The Parson is basically the only good and moral person of the Church in "The Canterbury Tales."

5. Why is the fact that Chaucer wrote in English so important?

Answer: Because the official language of England was French.

When William of Normandy (William the Conqueror) took over in 1066, the language of England immediately became French.

6. Which of the following is NOT something that Chaucer used in "The Canterbury Tales?"

Answer: sonnets

This is a very difficult style of writing to use.

7. Whose tale tells about three men seeking Death?

Answer: Pardoner

'The Pardoner's Tale' tells about three men who set off to kill Death, but end up being killed by Death. The Pardoner and the Summoner worked together to cheat people, and were also sleeping together.

8. Which of the following was not one of the pilgrims?

Answer: Schoolteacher

There was no schoolteacher, although the Clerk was a scholarly person.

9. True or False: The Wife of Bath tells a tale about a rooster named Chauntecleer.

Answer: False

The Nun's Priest's tale is about the rooster named Chauntecleer. The Wife of Bath's tale is about a knight who rapes a maiden and to save his life must find out what women most desire (control over their husbands).

10. How many tales did Chaucer complete before he died?

Answer: 24

It is assumed Chaucer planned to write the whole 120 tales (4 per person times 30 people) but died before he was able to do so. However, it is argued as to exactly how many tales he wrote. Most people agree between 20-30, so 24 is the only acceptable answer.

Source: Author LuckyLulu27

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor nerthus before going online.
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