Short Questions with Answers
1. When did the Anglo-Saxons invade Britain?
Answer : The Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain in AD 449.
2. What does the term ‘Old English’ refer to?
Answer : Old English refers to the early form of the English language from AD 449 to AD 1066.
3. What language greatly influenced Old English?
Answer : Latin greatly influenced Old English.
4. What writing system did the Anglo-Saxons originally use?
Answer : The Anglo-Saxons originally used the Runic alphabet.
5. Which major event ended the Old English period?
Answer : The Norman Conquest in AD 1066 ended the Old English period.
6. Who were the Vikings?
Answer : The Vikings were Scandinavian seafaring people from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
7. What is the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle?
Answer : The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is the first continuous history of England in its language.
8. Which king promoted English literature during the Old English period?
Answer : King Alfred promoted English literature during the Old English period.
9. What language did the Normans introduce to England?
Answer : The Normans introduced French to England.
10. Name one famous Old English manuscript.
Answer : One famous Old English manuscript is “Beowulf.”
11. What is one example of a Celtic place name?
Answer : London is an example of a Celtic place name.
12. Which tribe’s leadership dominated the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy?
Answer : The Saxons dominated the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy.
13. Which alphabet replaced the Runic script?
Answer : The Roman alphabet replaced the Runic script.
14. What was the role of Christian missionaries in Old English?
Answer : They translated Latin texts into Old English.
15. Which words are Scandinavian in origin?
Answer : Words like “sky,” “knife,” and “sister” are Scandinavian in origin.
16. What is one key feature of the Runic alphabet?
Answer : It was composed of sharp, straight lines without curves.
17. What was the most remarkable Scandinavian influence on Old English grammar?
Answer : The pronouns “they,” “their,” and “them” were borrowed from Scandinavian.
18. What language was the mother tongue of the Norman rulers’ children in England?
Answer : English became the mother tongue of the Norman rulers’ children.
19. Which literary era did King Alfred lead?
Answer : King Alfred led the golden era of Old English literature.
20. Why is the year 1066 important in English history?
Answer : It marks the Norman Conquest, ending the Old English period.
Medium Questions with Answers
1. How did the Anglo-Saxon invasion change Britain?
Answer : The Anglo-Saxon invasion in AD 449 turned Celtic Britain into Germanic England. They established seven kingdoms known as the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy. Their language and culture became dominant over the Celts.
2. What was the effect of the Norman Conquest on English?
Answer : The Norman Conquest introduced many French words into English. French became the language of the court and administration, but English remained the language of the common people. Eventually, English reemerged in homes and schools.
3. How did the Runic alphabet differ from the Roman alphabet?
Answer : The Runic alphabet consisted of sharp, straight lines without curves and was used for inscriptions on weapons and monuments. It was replaced by the Roman alphabet after the spread of Christianity. The Roman alphabet underwent modifications before reaching its modern form.
4. What were the main dialects of Old English?
Answer : Old English had four main dialects: Kentish, Northumbrian, Mercian, and West Saxon. These dialects developed due to the different tribes—Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. West Saxon eventually became the most prominent dialect.
5. What impact did Christianity have on Old English?
Answer : Christianity introduced Latin religious texts and new vocabulary to Old English. Christian missionaries translated Latin works, and many religious terms like “heaven” and “nun” entered English. The Roman script also replaced the Runic alphabet.
6. What were the characteristics of Old English literature?
Answer : Old English literature included oral traditions, religious writings, and heroic poetry. “Beowulf” is the most famous surviving poem, depicting the heroic deeds of a warrior. King Alfred’s translations of Latin texts also contributed to Old English prose.
7. How did the Viking invasions affect Old English?
Answer : The Viking invasions brought Scandinavian influence to Old English. Words like “birth,” “give,” and “egg” were borrowed through daily interaction. Even grammar was affected, with the adoption of pronouns like “they” and “them.”
8. Why was King Alfred significant in Old English history?
Answer : King Alfred promoted literacy and translated important Latin texts into Old English. He encouraged the writing of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the first major prose work in English. His reign marked a golden period for Old English literature.
9. What role did the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy play in history?
Answer : The Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy consisted of seven kingdoms: Kent, Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia, Essex, Sussex, and Wessex. These kingdoms were formed after the Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain. Leadership eventually passed to the Saxons due to better political organization.
10. How did Old English grammar differ from Modern English grammar?
Answer : Old English grammar was more complex, with inflections for case, gender, and number. Nouns, verbs, and adjectives had different endings to show relationships within sentences. Over time, many of these inflections disappeared, simplifying the grammar.
Long Questions with Answers
1. How did the Anglo-Saxon tribes contribute to the development of Old English?
Answer : The Anglo-Saxon tribes—Angles, Saxons, and Jutes—invaded Britain in AD 449 and established the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy. Each tribe spoke distinct dialects that evolved into Old English. They replaced Celtic languages, and their Germanic language became the foundation of English. Old English included influences from Norse and Latin, creating a rich linguistic heritage.
2. What role did Latin play in shaping the vocabulary of Old English?
Answer : Latin significantly influenced Old English, especially in religion, education, and commerce. Christian missionaries brought many Latin words like “altar,” “angel,” and “school.” Roman military terms such as “wall” and “mile” also entered English. Latin’s impact persisted even after the fall of the Roman Empire, enriching Old English vocabulary.
3. How did Scandinavian invasions influence the English language?
Answer : The Viking invasions introduced many Scandinavian words into Old English, such as “sky,” “knife,” and “sister.” Over two centuries of interaction led to the adoption of basic vocabulary and even grammar changes. Pronouns like “they,” “their,” and “them” replaced Old English forms. This influence extended beyond vocabulary, affecting the grammatical system as well.
4. Why is King Alfred considered important in the history of English literature?
Answer : King Alfred, known as the “Father of English Prose,” promoted literacy and translated key Latin texts into Old English. He established the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the first historical record in English. His reign marked a golden era for Old English literature, as he fostered education and cultural growth. Alfred’s contributions helped preserve and develop the English language.
5. How did the Norman Conquest change the course of the English language?
Answer : The Norman Conquest in 1066 introduced French as the language of the ruling elite, law, and administration. English absorbed many French words related to governance, law, and culture. While French dominated, English survived among common people and gradually reemerged. Over time, English blended with French, leading to the formation of Middle English and a simpler grammar system.
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