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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What caused Telemachus to disband the feast after the fight of Irus and Odysseus the beggar?
(a) The food has run out for the evening.
(b) The suitors started fighting among themselves.
(c) Eurymachus abused a servant.
(d) Eurymachus throws a stool at Odysseus the beggar.

2. When Odysseus is on land after his voyage from Scheria, why doesn't he know where he is?
(a) He is unfamiliar with this part of Ithaca.
(b) He's been gone too long.
(c) Athene has spread a cloud, obscurring him.
(d) The Phaecians brought him to another island.

3. At his first feast in his own house, who throws a stool at Odysseus the beggar?
(a) Medon.
(b) Eurymachus.
(c) Melanthius.
(d) Antinous.

4. Why does Telemachus take Theoclymenus on his ship home?
(a) Theoclymenus is fleeing from punishment.
(b) Athena tells him to take the murderer.
(c) Theoclymenus pays him.
(d) Telemachus realizes he needs all the allies he can get in Ithaca.

5. Among the suitors, who tried to use the bow first?
(a) Antinous.
(b) Peisander.
(c) Leiodes.
(d) Eurymachus.

6. Who gives Odysseus the bow that Penelope is using in her contest for the suitors?
(a) Hercules.
(b) Orsilochus.
(c) Iphitus.
(d) Eurytus.

7. How does Penelope initially react to Eurycleia's news about Odysseus and the suitors?
(a) She doesn't believe her.
(b) She cries for shame.
(c) She runs out to see.
(d) She hits her.

8. Why is Telemachus skeptical that he and Odysseus can handle the suitors without help?
(a) Telemachus is untried in battle.
(b) There are more than 100 suitors haunting their halls.
(c) Odysseus isn't as young as he used to be.
(d) Odysseus has suffered for many years and it's taken a toll on his body.

9. How does the shepherd from the mainland treat Odysseus the beggar when he first meets him at the palace courtyard?
(a) He greets him.
(b) He shows the beggar honor and respect.
(c) He ignores him completely.
(d) He treats the beggar rudely.

10. As Odysseus tells Eumaeus his story in Book 14, how does he say he earns a living and makes a name for himself?
(a) As a soldier.
(b) As a scholar.
(c) As a priest.
(d) As a pirate.

11. Who does Telemachus first slay among the suitors during the battle in the hall?
(a) Peisander.
(b) Antinous.
(c) Amphinomous.
(d) Eurymachus.

12. What does Theoclymenus tell Penelope about the omen of the birds?
(a) He says that Odysseus is in the hall now, amongst the suitors.
(b) He says that Odysseus won't make it home.
(c) He says that Odysseus will be home soon.
(d) He says that Odysseus is already there, biding his time.

13. Once Odysseus realizes he's in Ithaca, what does Athene advise him to do?
(a) Send a secret message to Penelope.
(b) Disguise himself and see the suitors.
(c) Hide his goods in a corner of the nearby cave.
(d) Reveal himself to his loyal swineherd.

14. In Book 24, who tells the assembly that an immortal aided Odysseus?
(a) Medon.
(b) Halitherses.
(c) Mentor.
(d) Theoclymenus.

15. How does Penelope test the truth of Odysseus the beggar's story regarding Odysseus?
(a) She asked the beggar at which games Odysseus excelled.
(b) She asks him the month and year he visited with Odysseus.
(c) She asked what Odysseus' ship looked like.
(d) She asks him to describe Odysseus' clothing, his person, and his companions.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why doesn't Eumaeus want the old man to tell him tales of his master?

2. How many suitors are spared in Book 22 before Eurycleia is summoned for cleaning the hall?

3. In Book 23, now that the fight with the suitors is over, what does Odysseus tell Telemachus to do?

4. Since Telemachus dismissed the serving women, how is he able to move the armor in the dark in Book 19?

5. Which suitor eases Penelope's fears for her son in Book 16?

(see the answer keys)

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