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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the priest say that Oedipus will be king of, if he doesn't solve the town's problems?
(a) a forest
(b) an ocean
(c) a desert
(d) a mountain

2. Why does the chorus think it's time for the murderer to flee?
(a) Zeus' son, Apollo, is against him.
(b) Oedipus is against him.
(c) The ire of the city is rising against him.
(d) Teiresias will eventually name him.

3. How does Oedipus react to Teiresias' unwillingness to speak?
(a) with fear
(b) angrily
(c) with sorrow
(d) jokingly

4. Who speaks for the people of Thebes as their leader?
(a) the oracle
(b) the priest of Zeus
(c) the prophet of Hera
(d) the parliamentary leader

5. How does Creon's face look as he approaches?
(a) happy
(b) nonexpressive
(c) angry
(d) sad

6. What does Creon say has caused the disasters to the town?
(a) a fight between protecting gods
(b) an unfulfilled prophecy
(c) a slight to the gods
(d) an unavenged murder

7. What reason does Teiresias give for not answering Oedipus' questions?
(a) He knows the truth, but the gods have told him not to say.
(b) He isn't sure about what he knows.
(c) He doesn't want to cause them both grief.
(d) He does not believe his own visions.

8. What does Oedipus say the killers had to have?
(a) a dictate from a god
(b) financial help from Thebes
(c) a promise of reward from Corinth
(d) a dictate from a prophet

9. What does Oedipus first say to Creon as he approaches?
(a) He asks what message the gods sent.
(b) He asks why Creon is so late.
(c) He asks who Creon has spoken to.
(d) He asks why Creon looks so strange.

10. How is the tale of Oedipus and the Sphinx treated in the town?
(a) Oedipus constantly forces the town to hear the story again.
(b) People only remember the story in times of trouble.
(c) People still tell the story of Oedipus and the Sphinx.
(d) People have already forgotten what Oedipus has done for them.

11. Why does Oedipus say he's not punishing Teiresias?
(a) because of Teiresias' age
(b) because clearly no one will believe Teiresias
(c) because of Teiresias's stature in the community
(d) because he believes Teiresias is Creon's pawn

12. What does Oedipus say he's been doing in his sorrow?
(a) He's been thinking about possible paths to a solution.
(b) He's been offering sacrifices to all the gods.
(c) He's been carefully questioning all the townspeople who could help.
(d) He's been paralyzed by the horror that's come on the town.

13. What is Creon's relationship to Oedipus?
(a) brother
(b) father-in-law
(c) brother-in-law
(d) no relation

14. What does Creon say about Laius' companions when he was killed?
(a) The king was alone.
(b) They were all killed but one, who ran away.
(c) They were all killed.
(d) They all ran away.

15. What does Oedipus say about the fact that Laius' death wasn't looked into before?
(a) Oedipus says that the town is actively covering up the murder.
(b) Oedipus says that the town knew it was bringing tragedy upon itself.
(c) Oedipus says the town should have looked into the murder.
(d) Oedipus says he understands that the town had other problems.

Short Answer Questions

1. What course of action does the chorus leader suggest Oedipus should take?

2. What does the chorus leader rebuke both Oedipus and Teiresias for?

3. What is Oedipus' attitude toward Teiresias when he first speaks to the prophet?

4. What is Creon wearing on his head as he approaches the town?

5. What does Oedipus ask Teiresias to do, after Teiresias says Oedipus is the murderer?

(see the answer keys)

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