Estimated Reading Time: 33 min
The Canterbury Tales MCQS
1. According to the General Prologue, in which month does the pilgrimage to Canterbury begin?
A. March
B. May
C. April
D. June
2. Where do the pilgrims initially gather before starting their journey?
A. London Bridge
B. Westminster Abbey
C. Canterbury Cathedral
D. The Tabard Inn in Southwark
3. To which holy shrine are the pilgrims travelling?
A. The shrine of St. George
B. The shrine of St. Thomas a Becket
C. The tomb of St. Edmund
D. The Holy Land
4. What is the name of the Host of the Tabard Inn who proposes the storytelling game?
A. John Wyclif
B. Thomas Becket
C. Geoffrey Chaucer
D. Harry Bailey
5. What is the prize for the pilgrim who tells the best story?
A. A golden cup
B. A supper at the Host’s inn paid for by the others
C. A new horse
D. Free passage to Jerusalem
6. How many tales was each pilgrim supposed to tell on the journey?
A. Two on the way there and two on the way back
B. One on the way there and one on the way back
C. Four on the way there and four on the way back
D. Three on the way there and three on the way back
7. How many pilgrims, including Chaucer the narrator, gather at the Tabard Inn?
A. Twenty-four
B. Thirty
C. Twenty-nine
D. Twenty-six
8. Based on the Host’s original proposal, how many tales was Chaucer’s ambitious scheme intended to include in total?
A. Around 120
B. 24
C. 58
D. 32
9. How many tales did Chaucer actually complete before his death?
A. 20
B. 32
C. 24
D. 29
10. Which literary form does The Canterbury Tales exemplify by binding disconnected stories within a single story?
A. An epic poem
B. A historical chronicle
C. A tragedy
D. A collection of tales with a frame narrative
11. From which Italian author’s work, the Decameron, may Chaucer have drawn influence for the frame narrative structure?
A. Virgil
B. Dante
C. Boccaccio
D. Petrarch
12. The General Prologue is a notable example of what medieval genre that satirizes the different social classes?
A. Beast Fable
B. Chivalric Romance
C. Estates Satire
D. Fabliau
13. What kind of verse is predominantly used in The Canterbury Tales?
A. Heroic couplets
B. Alliterative verse
C. Rhyme Royal
D. Blank verse
14. The pilgrims’ journey is described as a “snapshot” or “miniature” of what?
A. Religious reforms
B. Political structures
C. Economic activities
D. English social life and diversity
15. Which of the following are the two prose tales found within The Canterbury Tales?
A. The Tale of Melibeus and The Parson’s Tale
B. The Clerk’s Tale and The Merchant’s Tale
C. The Friar’s Tale and The Summoner’s Tale
D. The Parson’s Tale and The Wife of Bath’s Tale
16. The interactions between pilgrims, such as the arguments and tale interruptions, are known as what?
A. The Prologues
B. The Links
C. The Frame Story
D. The Epilogues
17. Chaucer’s pilgrims are described as both “type and individuals.” What does this mean?
A. They embody stereotypical social roles while also having distinct individual characteristics.
B. They are historical figures disguised as fictional characters.
C. They are all exactly alike, representing one type.
D. They are purely fictional and unrealistic.
18. What is the primary purpose of the General Prologue itself?
A. To introduce the pilgrims and their social standing, preparing for their tales.
B. To critique the religious practices of the time.
C. To outline the various literary forms to be used.
D. To present a detailed history of England.
19. In his own prologue, what does the narrator (Chaucer) ask the reader’s forgiveness for?
A. The póor quality of his poetry.
B. Potentially misremembering details about the pilgrims.
C. Speaking plainly and possibly using crude language from the pilgrims’ tales.
D. The great length of the work.
20. Which social class is notably absent from the pilgrimage group?
A. The clergy
B. The merchant class
C. The peasantry
D. The highest level of aristocracy (e.g., dukes, earls)
21. What is the first character described in the General Prologue?
A. The Squire
B. The Host
C. The Knight
D. The Miller
22. What is the Knight’s primary characteristic?
A. His wealth
B. His love for hunting
C. His chivalry and noble deeds
D. His humor
23. What does the Knight’s stained fustian tunic suggest about his character?
A. He is disrespectful to the other pilgrims.
B. He is póor and cannot afford better clothes.
C. He is vain and cares only for appearances.
D. He is immediately setting off on pilgrimage after returning from war, showing his piety.
24. Which of the following is true about the Knight’s military experience?
A. He was primarily a diplomat, not a fighter.
B. He avoided all major battles.
C. He had fought in many Christian and pagan lands.
D. He fought only in England.
25. Who is the first pilgrim to tell a tale?
A. The Miller
B. The Knight
C. The Wife of Bath
D. Chaucer himself
26. What is the Squire’s relationship to the Knight?
A. His younger brother
B. His apprentice
C. His son
D. His nephew
27. What is the Squire’s approximate age?
A. In his forties
B. In his thirties
C. Around twenty
D. Around fifty
28. Which qualities are associated with the Squire, in addition to his knighthood skills?
A. His singing, fluting, and drawing
B. His wisdom and piety
C. His seriousness and studiousness
D. His skill in trade and commerce
29. What is the Yeoman’s role in the pilgrimage group?
A. An attendant to the Knight and Squire
B. A soldier
C. A merchant
D. A religious figure
30. What distinctive item does the Yeoman carry, indicating his skill as an archer?
A. A sword
B. A shield
C. A bow and peacock-feathered arrows
D. A cross
31. The Yeoman wears a medal of which saint?
A. St. Thomas
B. St. Julian
C. St. Christopher
D. St. George
32. What is the Prioress’s name?
A. Madame Eglentyne
B. Lady Alice
C. Sister Mary
D. Mother Superior
33. What is a notable characteristic of the Prioress’s table manners?
A. She prefers to eat alone.
B. She eats quickly and noisily.
C. She is fastidious, letting no morsel fall from her lips.
D. She shares all her food.
34. The Prioress’s motto on her brooch, “Amor vincit omnia,” is ironic because:
A. It is a common motto for knights, not nuns.
B. It can mean either divine or romantic love, creating ambiguity.
C. It is written in English instead of Latin.
D. She does not believe in love.
35. What does the Prioress do that shows her tender-hearted nature, even if it seems affected?
A. She gives all her money to the póor.
B. She weeps if she sees a mouse caught in a trap.
C. She helps the eldérly pilgrims on the journey.
D. She fasts and prays for the souls of others.
36. What type of religious figures accompany the Prioress?
A. A Monk and a Friar
B. A Summoner and a Pardoner
C. A Nun and three Priests
D. A Parson and a Ploughman
37. What is a notable characteristic of the Monk, contrary to typical monastic life?
A. His poverty
B. His dedication to scholarly pursuits
C. His quiet contemplation
D. His love for hunting and fine horses
38. The Monk’s fine clothes and jewelry contradict his vow of what?
A. Chastity
B. Poverty
C. Obedience
D. Silence
39. What is the Friar’s name?
A. Absolon
B. Huberd
C. Oswald
D. Harry
40. What is the Friar’s most notable characteristic regarding his interactions?
A. His reclusive lifestyle
B. His generosity
C. His strict adherence to his vows
D. His worldliness and mercenary nature
41. The Friar is criticized for hearing confessions and giving easy penance in exchange for what?
A. Prayers
B. Gifts and money
C. Manual labor
D. Political favors
42. How is the Merchant generally portrayed in terms of his demeanor?
A. Gloomy and pessimistic
B. Humble and quiet
C. Stately and outwardly prosperous, but secretly in debt
D. Outspoken and boastful
43. What is the primary focus of the Oxford Clerk’s life?
A. Hunting
B. Trade
C. Courtly love
D. Study and books
44. What is the condition of the Clerk and his horse?
A. They are fat and well-fed.
B. They are thin and póorly dressed.
C. They are adorned with fine silks.
D. They are strong and ready for battle.
45. What does the Clerk gladly do?
A. Argue and debate
B. Lend money to friends
C. Learn and teach
D. Travel and explore
46. How is the Sergeant of the Law characterized in terms of his profession?
A. Discreet and knowledgeable, appearing busier than he is
B. Unreliable
C. Dishonest
D. Careless
47. What social role does the Franklin embody, related to his land ownership?
A. A city merchant
B. A humble peasant
C. A knight in training
D. A well-to-do country gentleman (gentry)
48. The Franklin is described as “Epicurus’s own son” because of his love for what?
A. Justice and law
B. Sensual pleasure, particularly food and drink
C. Philosophical debate
D. Solitude and study
49. What is a prominent feature of the Franklin’s household?
A. It is very strict and austere.
B. It is filled with abundant food and hospitality.
C. It is always in disarray.
D. It is very quiet and reclusive.
50. The five Guildsmen (Haberdasher, Carpenter, Weaver, Dyer, Tapicer) represent what part of society?
A. The land-owning aristocracy
B. The rural peasantry
C. The rising urban middle class of skilled craftsmen
D. The corrupt clergy
51. What is suggested about the wives of the Guildsmen?
A. They are constantly complaining.
B. They desire the social advancement that comes with their husbands’ success.
C. They are very modest and shy.
D. They are reclusive and stay at home.
52. Who do the Guildsmen bring with them on the pilgrimage?
A. Their wives
B. Their apprentices
C. The Cook
D. The Franklin
53. What is the Cook’s primary skill?
A. Preparing delicious meals
B. Sailing
C. Building
D. Tailoring
54. What physical ailment does the Cook have that might make his food unappetizing?
A. Póor eyesight
B. An ulcer on his shin
C. A limp
D. A missing finger
55. What characteristic of the Shipman highlights his practical, rough nature?
A. His refined manners
B. His habit of making prisoners walk the plank
C. His generosity to strangers
D. His eloquent speech
56. What is the name of the Shipman’s vessel?
A. The Rose
B. The Trinity
C. The Maudelayne
D. The Golden Hind
57. What is the Doctor of Physic’s main focus of interest, besides medicine?
A. Theology
B. Gold
C. Philosophy
D. Agriculture
58. The Doctor’s practice is based on what medieval theory?
A. Germ theory
B. Astrology and the four humours
C. Faith healing
D. Modern surgery
59. What is implied about the Doctor of Physic’s knowledge of the Bible?
A. He quotes it frequently.
B. He has written a commentary on it.
C. He studies it very little.
D. He is a devout Christian scholar.
60. What is the Wife of Bath’s occupation?
A. A tavern keeper
B. A cloth-maker
C. A nun
D. A cook
61. How many husbands has the Wife of Bath had?
A. Seven
B. One
C. Five
D. Three
62. What is a key theme of the Wife of Bath’s Prologue?
A. The importance of charity
B. Her arguments for female sovereignty in marriage, based on her experience
C. The history of her travels
D. Her spiritual journey
63. What is the Wife of Bath’s physical impairment?
A. She is blind in one eye.
B. She is somewhat deaf.
C. She has a missing hand.
D. She has a prominent limp.
64. Where does the Wife of Bath claim to have made pilgrimages besides Canterbury?
A. To Rome and Santiago de Compostela
B. To Jerusalem and Mecca
C. To the Holy Land, Rome, and Boulogne
D. To Jerusalem, Rome, Boulogne, Santiago de Compostela, and Cologne
65. The Parson is presented as an ideal member of the clergy. What is his primary characteristic?
A. His wealth and influence
B. His ambition for promotion
C. His devoutness, poverty, and dedication to his flock
D. His love for fine clothing and hunting
66. Who is the Parson’s brother?
A. The Miller
B. The Reeve
C. The Ploughman
D. The Manciple
67. What virtue is particularly associated with the Ploughman?
A. His cunning
B. His learning
C. His honest labor and charity
D. His bravery
68. The Parson and the Ploughman together represent what aspect of society?
A. The corrupt ecclesiastical system
B. The ideal of a virtuous Christian life in both clergy and laity
C. The urban working class
D. The greedy merchant class
69. What is the Manciple’s profession?
A. A lawyer’s clerk
B. A caterer for a college or inn of court
C. A land steward
D. A physician
70. What notable quality does the Manciple possess, despite being uneducated?
A. His physical strength
B. His religious devotion
C. His ability to outsmart his learned masters in financial matters
D. His musical talent
71. What is the Reeve’s profession?
A. A miller
B. A land steward or estate manager
C. A summoner
D. A pardoner
72. How does the Reeve generally interact with those under his authority?
A. With great kindness
B. With indifference
C. He strikes fear into his master’s tenants.
D. He collaborates with them.
73. Why does the Reeve tell a tale that mocks a miller?
A. It is the only kind of story he knows.
B. He wishes to get revenge on the Miller for his drunken, insulting tale.
C. The Host forces him to.
D. He wants to entertain the Knight.
74. What physical characteristic is most prominent about the Miller?
A. His thinness
B. His height
C. His brawny, red-bearded appearance
D. His pale complexion
75. What musical instrument does the Miller play to lead the pilgrims out of town?
A. A flute
B. A harp
C. A trumpet
D. The bagpipes
76. What is the Miller’s unethical practice in his profession?
A. He sells shoddy goods.
B. He overcharges for his services and steals corn.
C. He buys grain from the póor at low prices.
D. He refuses to work for certain people.
77. What action does the Miller take that interrupts the Host’s plan for the tales?
A. He refuses to tell a tale.
B. He falls asleep.
C. He insists on telling his tale out of turn while drunk.
D. He argues with the Knight.
78. What is the Summoner’s primary duty?
A. To collect taxes
B. To summon people to the ecclesiastical court for their sins
C. To preach sermons
D. To lead pilgrimages
79. What physical characteristic is associated with the Summoner’s face?
A. Rosy cheeks
B. Pale complexion
C. Carbuncles and pimples
D. A long beard
80. What does the Summoner love to eat, which contributes to his bad breath?
A. Fish and chips
B. Cheese and bread
C. Garlic, onions, and leeks
D. Roasted meats
81. What is the Summoner’s relationship with the Friar?
A. They are close friends and allies.
B. They are brothers.
C. They are professional rivals who tell insulting stories about each other.
D. They are indifferent to one another.
82. What is the Pardoner’s profession?
A. A pilgrim leader
B. A religious reformer
C. One who sells papal indulgences and fake holy relics
D. A legal advisor
83. What physical characteristic of the Pardoner is described in the Prologue?
A. His muscular build
B. His short stature
C. His yellow, stringy hair and high-pitched voice
D. His baldness
84. What does the Pardoner frankly confess about his own character in his prologue?
A. His deep piety
B. His unwavering honesty
C. His personal avarice and use of his preaching for profit
D. His shyness
85. The Pardoner carries a bag of what he claims are holy relics, including a piece of which saint’s sail?
A. St. Thomas
B. St. Peter
C. St. Christopher
D. St. Paul
86. Who does the Pardoner travel with on the pilgrimage?
A. The Monk
B. The Friar
C. The Summoner
D. The Parson
87. What does the Pardoner do after his tale that enrages the Host?
A. He demands payment for his story.
B. He tries to sell his fake relics to the pilgrims.
C. He insults the Knight.
D. He refuses to continue the journey.
88. How does Chaucer portray himself as a pilgrim in the tale-telling contest?
A. As the most eloquent storyteller
B. As a strict judge
C. As a bumbling and incompetent storyteller whose tale is interrupted
D. As a silent observer
89. What is the Host’s reaction to Chaucer’s tale of Sir Thopas?
A. He praises its originality.
B. He asks for more.
C. He rudely interrupts it, calling it “drasty rhyming.”
D. He falls asleep.
90. What is the nature of Chaucer’s second tale, The Tale of Melibee?
A. A humorous romance
B. A beast fable
C. A lengthy moral fable in prose
D. A satirical poem
91. What is the Host’s profession?
A. A merchant
B. An innkeeper
C. A knight
D. A scholar
92. What is the Host’s personality described as?
A. Shy and reserved
B. Stern and critical
C. Jovial and domineering
D. Melancholy and quiet
93. What is the Host’s role in the tale-telling game?
A. He is a participant only.
B. He serves as the storyteller for the entire group.
C. He acts as the master of ceremonies and judge.
D. He merely listens to the tales.
94. How is Chaucer’s career as a civil servant reflected in The Canterbury Tales?
A. The tales are primarily about political administration.
B. His contact with diverse social classes informed his character portraits.
C. The work includes many legal documents.
D. The writing style is overly formal and bureaucratic.
95. What describes Chaucer’s general attitude towards human life as an artist?
A. He was an idealist seeking to reform society.
B. He was a stern moralist denouncing human weaknesses.
C. He was an artist who accepted the world as he found it, observing it keenly.
D. He used his art primarily to advocate for social change.
96. What is a key characteristic of Chaucer’s originality in his storytelling?
A. He invented all his stories from scratch.
B. He gave old stories present human interest and reflected the ideals of his age.
C. He strictly adhered to historical accuracy in all tales.
D. He focused exclusively on original philosophical ideas.
97. What is the name given to the seven-lined stanza (ababbcc) popularized by Chaucer?
A. Ottava Rima
B. Terza Rima
C. Rhyme Royal
D. Spenserian Stanza
98. What is a notable characteristic of Chaucer’s humor?
A. It is rich, intellectual, and varies from boisterous farce to pointed satire.
B. It is always overtly satirical and denouncing.
C. It is dry and cynical, often lacking in warmth.
D. It is primarily based on slapstick and exaggeration.
99. How does Chaucer compare to other medieval writers in terms of originality?
A. He always invented entirely new stories.
B. He reshaped material from the great contemporary store, adding human interest.
C. He never used existing material.
D. He copied works directly without adaptation.
100. What literary virtue is highlighted as very prominent in Chaucer’s work, stemming from his wide experience?
A. Abstract symbolism
B. Exaggerated bitterness
C. Acute faculty of observation
D. Strict adherence to classical rules
101. Despite the apparent difficulties of obsolete spelling, what is generally said about reading Chaucer’s original work?
A. Modern versions are always preferred.
B. It is nearly impossible without a specialist.
C. There is little necessity for modern versions, as they miss the charm of the original.
D. It is only for advanced scholars.
102. What aspect of English life in the fourteenth century is illuminated by the General Prologue?
A. The political struggles of the monarchy.
B. The diverse social levels, attitudes, and ways of life.
C. The daily life of the common soldier.
D. The intricacies of legal battles.
103. The physical descriptions of the pilgrims often reflect what?
A. Their future destinies
B. Their inner moral character
C. Their family lineage
D. Their political allegiance
104. Who proposes the storytelling contest?
A. The Knight
B. The Host
C. Chaucer the pilgrim
D. The Prioress
105. What are the two criteria the Host will use to judge the best tale?
A. Longest and most dramatic
B. Most humorous and most original
C. Most moral (“good morality”) and most entertaining (“general pleasure”)
D. Most historically accurate and most poetic
106. The description of the pilgrims is an example of what literary genre?
A. Epic poetry
B. Lyric poetry
C. Estates satire
D. Tragedy
107. The Knight, the Parson, and the Plowman are often considered what kind of characters?
A. Corrupt and satirical figures
B. Idealized representatives of their social classes
C. Comic relief characters
D. Minor, undeveloped figures
108. The quarrel between the Miller and the Reeve is an example of what kind of interaction in the frame narrative?
A. A theological debate
B. A friendly competition
C. A personal feud that influences their choice of tales
D. A misunderstanding over the rules
109. What is the significance of the pilgrimage setting for the storytelling?
A. It restricts the stories to purely religious themes.
B. It provides a plausible reason for a diverse group of people to travel together and share stories.
C. It ensures that all pilgrims are honest and pious.
D. It makes the journey dangerous and full of conflict.
110. The Pardoner’s Prologue is an example of what kind of speech?
A. A humble prayer
B. A historical lecture
C. A boastful confession of his own hypocrisy
D. A political address
111. What is the central theme of the Pardoner’s Tale, which ironically contrasts with his own greed?
A. “Love conquers all.”
B. “Greed is the root of all evil.”
C. “Know thyself”
D. “Fortune favors the bold.”
112. The Wife of Bath’s extensive Prologue serves as what?
A. A brief introduction to her tale
B. An autobiographical account defending her life and views on marriage
C. A sermon on the virtues of chastity
D. A travelogue of her many pilgrimages
113. What is the main subject of debate in the Wife of Bath’s Prologue?
A. The best route to Canterbury
B. The nature of true chivalry
C. The role of women and sovereignty in marriage
D. The corruption of the Church
114. The Miller’s Tale and the Reeve’s Tale are examples of what genre of comic, often bawdy story?
A. Satire
B. Romance
C. Fabliau
D. Beast Fable
115. The Nun’s Priest’s Tale, featuring a rooster named Chanticleer, is an example of what genre?
A. Chivalric Romance
B. Tragedy
C. Beast Fable
D. Saint’s Life
116. The final tale, told by the Parson, is different from most others in what way?
A. It is the shortest tale in the collection.
B. It is a prose sermon, not a poetic story.
C. It is a humorous and lighthearted story.
D. It is told by the Host instead of a pilgrim.
117. What is Chaucer’s Retraction, which appears at the end of the collection?
A. A list of corrections for his tales.
B. An apology for his secular works and a prayer for forgiveness.
C. A final, humorous jab at the other pilgrims.
D. A summary of the moral lessons from all the tales.
118. Which two characters are presented as an ideal pair representing the virtuous lay and clerical estates?
A. The Knight and the Squire
B. The Summoner and the Pardoner
C. The Monk and the Friar
D. The Parson and the Ploughman
119. The variety of tales told reflects what aspect of the pilgrims themselves?
A. Their uniform educational background
B. Their diverse social classes, professions, and personalities
C. Their shared political views
D. Their identical moral standards
120. Despite its incomplete state, why is The Canterbury Tales considered a masterpiece?
A. It provides a definitive answer to all of life’s moral questions.
B. It is the first novel ever written in English.
C. It offers an unparalleled, vivid, and comprehensive portrait of medieval English society.
D. It follows the classical rules of epic poetry perfectly.
