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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the purpose of the first section of the play?
(a) To make the audience laugh before the tragedy begins.
(b) To offer background information.
(c) To apologize for any parts the audience may not like.
(d) To introduce every character in the play.

2. Who did the Tutor overhear making plans?
(a) Jason.
(b) Aegeus.
(c) Creon.
(d) Medea.

3. Why is Medea glad to see Jason at first?
(a) She thinks she can convince him to come back to her.
(b) So she can finally vent her anger in person.
(c) She wants the opportunity to kill him face-to-face.
(d) Because she needs his advice on where to go.

4. What is the Tutor's belief about people?
(a) They generally are just trying to get along without trouble.
(b) They want to find personal peace at whatever cost.
(c) They are good at heart and want to help others.
(d) They all love themselves more than others.

5. What does Jason think influences women's judgment?
(a) The warmth and intimacy of love..
(b) Their inability to see reason.
(c) Other women and children.
(d) The sun, the moon, and the tides of the sea.

6. What makes Creon sympathetic as a character?
(a) His desire to rule his people fairly.
(b) His love for his daughter.
(c) His struggle to be compassionate.
(d) His being victimized for something he didn't do.

7. What theme, central to the play, does the chorus frequently reiterate?
(a) That children are weapons against a mother.
(b) That men always betray women.
(c) That marriages are doomed to fail.
(d) That women cannot be trusted.

8. What attitude does Jason have towards Medea when he appears?
(a) Concerned.
(b) Loving.
(c) Contemptuous.
(d) Angry.

9. Why does Medea first consent to leave her home and meet with the chorus?
(a) She wants to find out if they have information about where to find Jason.
(b) She is afraid if she stays inside any longer she will go mad.
(c) It's important to foreigners to keep up good relations with the locals.
(d) She needs friends to comfort her and help her plan for the future.

10. Why does the author emphasize several times that Medea is a "stranger in a strange land"?
(a) It makes her character more sympathetic.
(b) It shows that she might not understand that murder is illegal.
(c) It reveals that Jason probably left her due to cultural differences.
(d) It makes it easier to see why she doesn't have many friends.

11. What reaction does the Nurse have to Medea's pain?
(a) She tells Medea it's her own fault.
(b) She pities Medea.
(c) She sympathizes but wants Medea to stop crying.
(d) She thinks Medea is too emotional.

12. What choice does Jason claim Medea will regret in the future?
(a) Threatening the King.
(b) Refusing his money.
(c) Staying in a kingdom nearby.
(d) Arranging to go back to her homeland.

13. Whom does Jason intend to marry?
(a) Hecate.
(b) Aegeus's sister.
(c) Creon's daughter.
(d) Medea's cousin.

14. What would the chorus like Medea to do when they first arrive?
(a) Find a way to revenge herself against her husband.
(b) Stop crying and tend her children.
(c) Come out so they can comfort her.
(d) Go back to her homeland and leave her children behind.

15. Why doesn't Creon trust Medea's reasons for allowing her to stay?
(a) They don't sound real to him.
(b) She sounds too angry to be able to live there peacefully.
(c) He has heard stories about her and thinks she is a liar.
(d) He thinks she is clever enough to be manipulative.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Medea claim she is refusing Jason's money?

2. Why does Medea say Creon's mercy was foolish?

3. Why does Jason claim Medea should think his plan is good?

4. Why does Medea have no choice but to trust Jason?

5. What has Jason said is his intent with regard to his children?

(see the answer keys)

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