View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who killed Aegisthus for the murder of Agamemnon?
(a) Menelaus.
(b) Orestes.
(c) Atreus.
(d) Nestor.

2. While making announcements after Mentes' visit in Book 1, what else does Telemachus tell the suitors of his hall?
(a) They can stay as long as they like.
(b) Odysseus is dead.
(c) Odysseus is alive, and he's going to find him.
(d) He will be King of Ithaca.

3. What color yarn does Nausicaa's mother spin?
(a) Sea purple.
(b) Sky blue.
(c) Sun-drenched gold.
(d) Meadow green.

4. Which of his six remaining sons does Nestor send with Telemachus in Book 3?
(a) Peisistratus.
(b) Arteus.
(c) Perseus.
(d) Thrasymedes.

5. Penelope learns about the suitors' plan for Telemachus from a page, but what does she learn from her sister's phantom?
(a) Telemachus is bringing an army.
(b) Telemachus is guided by Athene.
(c) Telemachus is wise beyond his years.
(d) Telemachus isn't coming back.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Book 4, Helen and Menelaus tell tales of Odysseus' exploits in Troy. What story does Helen tell?

2. Which god(dess) visits Telemachus at the beginning of the poem?

3. To which goddess does Odysseus compare Nausicaa in Book 6?

4. How many days does it take Odysseus to make his preparations and finally leave Ogygia?

5. What does Telemachus seek from the assembly above all?

Short Essay Questions

1. Recount the most recent part of Odysseus' story of woe, as told in Book 7.

2. Why does Odysseus reveal himself to Eumaeus and Philoetius?

3. How does Euryalus insult Odysseus when the Phaeacians are engaging in sport?

4. How does Calypso feel about releasing Odysseus?

5. In what ways does Odysseus reveal his crafty mind in his encounter with the cyclops?

6. Why does Athene reveal her presence to Telemachus and Nestor in Book 3?

7. Is it necessary for Odysseus to threaten Eurycleia when she recognizes him?

8. In what ways was Odysseus' naming prophetic?

9. Describe Eurylochus' actions in Book 12. What kind of man is he?

10. In Book 20, what has happened to Telemachus now that Odysseus has returned?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 956 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample