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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Menelaus give to Telemachus when Telemachus politely refuses his other gifts?
(a) Soldiers with which to vanquish the suitors.
(b) A well-wrought silver bowl.
(c) A polished car.
(d) A goodly cup.

2. When captured by Menelaus, who had been stuck for 20 days, what did this being reveal to him to get his freedom?
(a) Menelaus is told how to get Helen back.
(b) Menelaus is told how to get home, as well as the fate of three of his friends.
(c) Menelaus is told how to get home and acquire more treasure.
(d) Menelaus is told how to get vengeance for his brother.

3. Why, despite taking an oath, does Odysseus' crew slay some cattle of the Sun?
(a) Eurylochus says that Odysseus is keeping the cattle for himself.
(b) They're bored.
(c) They've run out of food.
(d) They don't care about the warning Odysseus issued.

4. What does Menelaus first reveal regarding Odysseus when Telemachus tells Menelaus who he is and the purpose of his visit?
(a) Odysseus' problems are his own.
(b) He would have given Odysseus a city upon his return from Troy.
(c) Telemachus looks nothing like his father.
(d) Odysseus is not worth anyone's tears.

5. What does Nestor tell Telemachus about his relationship with Odysseus?
(a) They never spoke those nine years at war.
(b) They never differed at council during the war.
(c) They never agreed at council during the war.
(d) They never fought side by side during the war.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Nausicaa's greatest concern for the trip back to her father's house from the river?

2. What skill are Phaecian men skilled beyond others?

3. Odysseus and his men have just landed on an island after the lotus-eaters. Why does Odysseus leave this place the next morning?

4. According to Nausicaa, to whom should Odysseus first appeal when he gets to the court in Book 6?

5. Who killed Aegisthus for the murder of Agamemnon?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is similar to Odysseus' real plight in his fictional tale to Eumaeus in Book 14?

2. Enumerate Telemachus' problem - why has he called the leaders of Ithaca together?

3. Describe the exchange between Odysseus and the shepherd boy in Book 13. What does it show about Odysseus' nature?

4. Even though Poseidon acknowledges Odysseus's fate, he continues to punish him. Why?

5. In Book 15, why does Peisistratus let Telemachus go without seeing Nestor again? Is this wise?

6. Why does Telemachus lie to Antinous and Eurymachus, telling them Odysseus is dead?

7. In Book 3, what can be learned from the story of Agamemnon's murder since the reader is seeing it a second time?

8. What do the suitors think of Telemachus leaving Ithaca? What are their fears?

9. What does Eumaeus think will happen to the old man if he approaches the suitors for work? Why?

10. Why does Circe help Odysseus in Book 10?

(see the answer keys)

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