View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Helen and Menelaus tell tales of Odysseus' exploits in Troy. What story does Menelaus tell?
(a) Menelaus gives Odysseus credit for gaining access and intelligence of Troy in the first place.
(b) Menelaus gives Odysseus credit for contriving of the horse
(c) Menelaus gives Odysseus credit for keeping the men still and quiet inside the horse.
(d) Menelaus gives Odysseus credit forbuilding the horse so they wouldn't be detected.

2. Who helps Telemachus procure a ship and crew to begin his quest?
(a) Laertes.
(b) Athene.
(c) Halitherses.
(d) Mentor.

3. After leaving the lotus-eaters, what do Odysseus and his ships find in Book 9?
(a) A highly populated island filled with warlike people.
(b) The pleasant island of Circe.
(c) An unspoiled land filled with goats.
(d) A land of man-eating giants.

4. Where does Telemachus stay when Nestor's feast is over?
(a) In the woods near Nestor's house.
(b) In Nestor's garden.
(c) Beneath the portico at Nestor's house.
(d) With his men aboard the ship.

5. Why were Menelaus and his ships stuck for 20 days?
(a) No winds stirred.
(b) He failed to make a proper sacrifice.
(c) He wanted to acquire more treasure.
(d) He was disoriented.

6. What does the first spirit to visit Odysseus in Hades ask him to do?
(a) Take care of his father, Laertes.
(b) Kill one of his men because the gods detest him.
(c) Go back to Aeaea and observe his funeral rites.
(d) Make more sacrifices at each place he stops.

7. To whom does Odysseus pray while in the meadow awaiting the appropriate time to arrive at the palace in Book 6?
(a) Zeus.
(b) Apollo.
(c) Athene.
(d) Poseidon.

8. According to Halitherses in Book 2, how long will Odysseus be gone before he returns to his friends and family?
(a) Twenty years.
(b) Seven years.
(c) Eighteen years.
(d) Ten years.

9. What does Poseidon call to disrupt Odysseus' easy passage to Phaecia?
(a) The four winds.
(b) Tsunami-like waves.
(c) The Hurricanes.
(d) The Kraken.

10. Where is Odysseus at the beginning of the poem?
(a) Ithaca.
(b) Pylos.
(c) Taphos.
(d) Ogygia.

11. According to Circe, how should Odysseus get past the Sirens while listening to their song?
(a) He should be bound to the mast.
(b) He should be taken below deck.
(c) He should be fine without any precautions.
(d) He just shouldn't listen to their song.

12. As Odysseus and his men push away from the Cyclops island, what does Odysseus do?
(a) He taunts Polyphemus.
(b) He mourns the loss of his crewmen.
(c) He spurs his crew to go faster.
(d) He prays to the gods for deliverance.

13. Odysseus and his men have just landed on an island after the lotus-eaters. Why does Odysseus leave this place the next morning?
(a) He wants to hurry home because he has a bad feeling.
(b) He wants to investigate another island from which smoke can be seen.
(c) He wants to please Zeus since they've angered him.
(d) He wants to gather more treasure.

14. As a result of the meeting of the assembly in Book 2, what do the suitors decide to do?
(a) It's time to give something back to Telemachus and his estate.
(b) Continue behaving as they have been.
(c) It's time to go home.
(d) To court other women, too.

15. Where did Nestor last see Odysseus?
(a) Psyria.
(b) Tendos.
(c) Egypt.
(d) Troy.

Short Answer Questions

1. What form does Athena take to guide Odysseus to Alcinous' palace?

2. Where does Calypso find Odysseus to tell him the news of his ordered release in Book 5?

3. How long have the suitors been coming to Odysseus' home?

4. In Book 7, why does Athena cloak Odysseus in clouds on his walk to the palace?

5. According to Nestor, who wanted the Achaeans to suffer on the way home from Troy?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 660 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample