The second of two midterm exams will take place at our last class meeting, day 2 of week 10 (W 6/6 in S07).  The Exam will total 150-200 pts.  In format it will resemble the First Midterm Exam, except that there will be no essay and no paper preview section. Passage ID and Item ID sections will focus exclusively on the primary works read weeks 6-10, but the factual section will be cumulative (although you can expect a greater emphasis on works covered since Midterm 1). 

Like Midterm 1, the second midterm exam will resemble, in the eloquent words of a former student, a "reading quiz on steroids" (tee-hee!)  But please believe that the motivation for this exam is NOT gratuitous cruelty; rather, I aim to "keep you honest," to ensure that you master (however temporarily) background material covered since Midterm 1 rather than focussing your attention exclusively on your research papers.  Because the research paper will provide ample opportunity to demonstrate your skill at writing and your ability to interpret Chaucer's texts, there will be no essay section on the second midterm exam.

Midterm 2 will cover SOME of the same ground as the factual portion of Midterm 1.  You will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of Chaucer's life and works and basic familiarity with ALL readings read this term.  However, the heaviest emphasis will fall on the readings covered  since the midterm (SHIP, PRI, 2ndN, SirTop, MEL, MONK, NP, PHYS, PARD, PARS, and Chaucer's Retraction) plus the "tags" between these tales.  You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of key theoretical issues discussed in class (and their relevance to the interpretation of the Canterbury Tales), e.g. the "Marriage Group," "fragments," fragment order, the "Bradshaw shift," evidence of reattribution of certain tales, etc.  You will also demonstrate your ability to translate short passages from Middle English into modern English.

To prepare:  reread texts; review class notes, any quizzes we may have had, online and/or e-reserve readings, and assigned pages of background readings (including Kittredge's essay on the "Marriage Group").  There will NOT be a section specifically referring to the Middle English language, although there will be a translation section.  There will be an element of choice in many but not all sections. 

The exam will include some combination of the following sections:

PASSAGE ID:  There is likely to be at least one passage from each work read since Midterm 1 (no passages from fragment 1, WB, FRNKLN, CLK or MER.)  Prologues, epilogues and "tags" may be included.  You will need to identify work by pilgrim/story teller and specify Tale, Prologue, or Epilogue.  Note: if we have had any reading quizzes, some quiz passages may reappear on the exam.  Hint:  be sure to review names of characters in all primary readings covered weeks 6-10 (since Midterm 1). There will be choice in this section.

ITEM ID and CHARACTER ID:  As described on Midterm 1 preparation guide, but limited to readings from the second half of the quarter.

TRANSLATION:  Similar to translation sections on Midterm 1 (and on any reading quizzes we may have had). Your translations should closely follow the Middle English original.  Translate line by line, but do not simply modernize spelling; replace archaic vocabulary and modernize word order and syntax.  Be sure that your translation makes sense in modern English!  There will be choice in this section.

PASSAGE INTERPRETATION:  I have not yet decided if I will include passage interpretation on the exam.  If I do, there will be space provided on the exam to write the interpretation of ONE passage from part 1 (no need to bring an exam book with you to class).  If there is such a section, you will be asked to discuss, in one meaty paragraph, the significance of ONE passage in the Passage ID section in the specific reading from which it is taken.  You will NOT be allowed to choose a passage from a work discussed in your research paper (or the work you presented orally in class, if different from the focus of your research paper).  Be sure to refer to specific words, images and themes in the passage you have chosen; explain the thematic relevance of the passage to reading as a whole.  (What makes this passage significant enough to be included on the exam?)

FACTUAL:  Questions involving Chaucer's biography; dates; genres; forms; sources; fragments; key theoretical concepts and theories that have been discussed in class, etc.  While there will be greater emphasis on works read since Midterm 1, there will be some attention to ALL primary readings covered this quarter.  HINT:  Review genres; fragment number; noteworthy formal characteristics (e.g. use of "rhyme royal" stanzas or prose rather than the customary rhyming couplets); specific sources where known; date of composition where known (e.g. for works whose composition predates the Canterbury Tales collection), etc. for all primary readings this quarter (including relevant information on the Canterbury Tales collection as a whole). Note 1:  You will be expected to answer ALL factual questions; there will be no choice. Note 2: AT LEAST HALF OF THE EXAM POINTS ARE LIKELY TO BE IN THE FACTUAL SECTIONS. 

To prepare:  review background information on assigned pages in the Riverside Chaucer and your class notes.  Review online readings ("Translatio studii et imperii"; Courtly Love; The Medieval Estates; Kittredge's essay on the "Marriage Group") and background information on linked study guides, especially those for primary readings covered since Midterm 1: the Nun's Priest's Tale; the Pardoner's Prologue and Tale; and Pilgrimage as Metaphor . . . The Close of the Canterbury Tales.  Be able to define/describe the different genres and forms covered in class, with particular emphasis on readings covered since the midterm.  But: do not neglect to review  basic information for ALL readings this quarter, e.g. genre, form, primary sources, approximate date of composition if known, and fragment number. Be able to summarize principal theoretical arguments discussed in class.  Tip: general questions on quizzes are a good place to begin your review.

Midterm Exams score (35% of your final course grade) is cumulative; it will be determined by adding your scores on midterms 1 and 2 and dividing by the total possible exam points.  Resulting percentage will be evaluated as is customary (90% and above=As; 80% cut-off for Bs; 70% cut-off for Cs, etc.)

FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM:

• It is often helpful to study with a friend!

 
• Get enough sleep Tuesday night, and don't skip breakfast!!!

 
• You've done great work this quarter -- good luck on the exam!!!

Return to ENGL 430 Home Page

Return to Dr. Schwartz's Teaching Page

Return to Dr. Schwartz's Home Page

Return to Dr. Schwartz's Schedule

Send me Mail