Question

read the passage from beowulf.

then it was like old times in the echoing hall,
proud talk and the people happy,
loud and excited; until soon enough
halfdanes heir had to be away
to his nights rest. he realized
that the demon was going to descend on the hall,
that he had plotted all day, from dawn-light
until darkness gathered again over the world
and stealthy night-shapes came stealing forth
under the cloud-murk.

the passage features anglo-saxon culture because people are

feasting.
laughing.
relaxing.
worrying.

Explanation:

Analyze the textual evidence

The passage describes a scene in the "echoing hall" with "proud talk and the people happy, loud and excited." In Anglo-Saxon culture, the communal gathering in the mead-hall, characterized by celebration, drinking, and eating, represents the central cultural tradition of feasting.

Evaluate the options

• "feasting": Matches the description of loud, happy, and proud talk in the communal hall.
• "laughing": Too narrow; while laughter occurs, the broader cultural feature is the hall gathering/feasting.
• "relaxing": Incorrect; the atmosphere is described as "loud and excited."
• "worrying": Incorrect; the people are described as "happy" before the king departs.

Answer:

• feasting. (Correct answer)
• laughing.
• relaxing.
• worrying.