Keys to activities

Literary Genres
ACTIVITY:
Watch the following video about the difference between SIMILE and
METAPHOR, then, complete the text:

Simile Metaphor
__Compares_ two different things. _Compares__ two different things.

It says that something is __like__ It says that something _is__

or _as_ something else. something else.

For example: For example:

____________________________________ ____________________________________

____________________________________ ____________________________________

ACTIVITY: Choose the correct rhyme: a, b or c

Letter soup

E
N
G E A N G L E S
L N
I G
S L
H A S A X O N S
N
D J
U
T
G R E A T B R I T A I N E
S

W A L E S

U N I T E D K I N G D O M

Crosswords

ACTIVITY: Read all the sentences first, then, as you listen, answer T
(true) or F (false)

1. The Anglo-Saxons weren’t Pagans. F

 2. One kind of entertainment was story telling at feasts. T

3. The lived in harsh conditions. T

4. Their living conditions didn’t influence their mythology. F

5. Stories were transmitted orally from generation to generation. T

6. Alliteration is the repetition of the same letter/sound at the end of each

word. T

7. Kings and soldiers were in charge of telling stories at feasts. F

ACTIVITY: Complete the following sentences with only one word:

1. Remember, Old English was NOT a ______written__________language.

Memory was the key!

2. King Alfred the Great, 849AD – 899AD, invited foreign

______scholars_________ (intelligent people from the Catholic church)
to WRITE down some Anglo-Saxon stories.

3. The «Anglo-Saxon Chronicle» was the ________first_______ work of

prose in English (Old English).

4. Some other important written works are the Junius Manuscript, the
Vercelli Book, the Exeter Book and _______Beowulf_______.

5. Christianity influenced these originally pagan Anglo-Saxon stories. Scholars

changed pagan elements by _____Christian_____ ones.

6. These written works were kept at ____monasteries____, in Britain.

7. The stories we read nowadays are not exactly the same stories
______scops___ used to tell before they were written down.

8. King ____Alfred_______ also made books written in Latin to be

translated into English!

ACTIVITY
Read the notes about Epic Literature and do the following activities.
1. What is an Epic? It’s a long poem about a hero or heroine
2. Enumerate the elements of an epic. In media res, battles, Romance,
Supernatual intervention, Journeys, Descent to the underworld, Epic
Hero/Heroine
 3. What is the meaning of “in media res”? The story starts in the middle of
the action.
4. Why is it better for an Epic to start “in media res”? Because the story is
more interesting
5. What is the meaning of the word “relief”? (Use an on line dictionary to find
out). A feeling of relaxation
6. Why is Romance important in an Epic? Because it is a relief from so many
battles, death and blood.
7. What is the meaning of “supernatural”? Things attributed to some force
beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature.
8. Explain what is “a descend to the underworld”. The hero or heroine must
confront his greatest enemy or fear.
9. Think of an example, from a movie or book you have read, where the hero
descends to the underworld. Write down your example.
10. Enumerate the characteristics of the “epic hero”. Brave, strong, loyal
generous and protective

ACTIVITY: Identify the different parts of the plot in Beowulf, using the
summary of all chapters made in class.

Exposition Since the beginning until Beowulf fights Grendel

Rising Action
From the battle with Grendel, until he meets the
dragon

Battle with the dragon

Climax
From the moment of agony until he dies
Falling Action
Funeral, Wiglaff talks to the rest of the Geats,
Resolution
Beowulf’sTomb
Second half

ACTIVITY:

Answer the following questions with True (T) or False (F). Justify the false
answers:

1. The Anglo-Saxons were the only tribe of Vikings on all Europe. F (There
were other tribes like the Frisians and Franks).
2. Edward promised Harold the crown of England. F (William was promised the
crown)
3. William got angry when Harold became king of England. T
4. Harold attacked William to get the crown that Edward promised. F (William
attacked Harold).
5. William waited for Harold in the North of England. F (William waited in the
South of England)
6. Harold had to travel with his army for 4 days. T
7. When William’s army arrived at Hastings, they were all tired. F (Harold’s
army arrived tired).
8. Harold won the Battle of Hastings. F (William won the battle)

ACTIVITY: Listen to the teacher’s class and complete the Pyramid with:

a) the name of the different integrants of the social classes,

b) and the things that each of them gave to each other.
 F I E F
P E A S A N T S
C H U R C H
L A N D
L A T I N
N O B L E S

S E R V I C E
P Y R A M I D
B I S H O P
K N I G H T S
P R O T E C T I O N
M A N O R

Quiz
Choose the correct option: a, b or c.

1. During the medieval period, The Church was very important because:
a. They were friends with God
b. They had the same power as the king
c. They collaborated in choosing the king and kept people calm.
2. The Church obtained benefits, like gold and land, from the king, for:
a. saying that the king was chosen by God.
b. helping the poor
c. teaching people
3. People in the medieval period feared God, because:
a. If they were good persons, after the died, they would go to Hell
b. If they were bad persons, after they died, they would go to Hell.
c. If they were bad persons, after they died, they would go to
Heaven.
4. People didn’t want to make God angry, because:
a. He would cry.
b. He would punish them.
c. He would be sad.
5. If a rich person killed another person, that person should go to Hell
after he died, unless:
a. They started to be good persons.
b. They never died.
c. They paid money to buy forgiveness.
6. The Fear to God worked better with:
 a. Not educated people.
b. Educated people.
c. Bad people.
7. The Pope was more powerful than the King, because:
a. He lived a bigger castle than the king.
b. He had supernatural.
c. He helped the king to become king.
8. People never contradicted the Pope when he designated a King,
because:
a. They didn’t have weapons.
b. They were afraid of making God angry.
c. They didn’t care.
9. Bishops were:
a. More powerful than priests
b. Less powerful than priests
c. Both had the same power
10. Priests lived in:
a. Cathedrals
b. The Vatican
c. Chapels