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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the chorus leader tell Oedipus about the murderer?
(a) that the murderer likely had nothing to do with Thebes
(b) that he doesn't want to know who the murderer is
(c) that he is not the murderer and doesn't know who the murderer is
(d) that he suspects who the murderer is but doesn't know

2. What does Oedipus decree that no citizen of Thebes shall do?
(a) shelter, talk, or consort with the murderer
(b) pray to any god but Apollo until the murderer is found
(c) talk or gossip about the murder
(d) leave the town until the murderer is found

3. Who does Oedipus say he's seeking vengeance for?
(a) Creon and Jocasta
(b) himself and the people of Thebes
(c) the gods and the prophets
(d) the land and the god Apollo

4. What does the chorus say about human prophets?
(a) It's impossible to tell if human prophets have real knowledge beyond the everyday.
(b) Human prophets are the same as the gods and priests.
(c) Human prophets are always wrong.
(d) Human prophets have human motivations.

5. According to Creon, who does a witness say killed Laius?
(a) a band of soldiers
(b) a gang of robbers
(c) a man with the power of a god
(d) a lone traveller

6. What deal does Oedipus offer the murderer if he gives himself in?
(a) Oedipus offers the murderer a place in Corinth in exchange for banishment from Thebes.
(b) Oedipus offers to limit the murderer's banishment.
(c) Oedipus offers to banish the murderer instead of killing him.
(d) Oedipus offers the murderer his choice of death or banishment.

7. Why does Oedipus say his sorrow is greater than the townspeople?
(a) Oedipus is full of fear that he will be dethroned.
(b) Oedipus has sorrow for himself, the city, and all the townspeople.
(c) Oedipus's heart is greater and therefore his sorrow is greater.
(d) Oedipus says his personal loss from the plague is worse than anyone else's.

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

9. What is Oedipus' initial attitude toward the crowd that has gathered?
(a) caring and helpful
(b) critical and derisive
(c) overjoyed and cheerful
(d) angry and annoyed

10. Before Teiresias leaves, what does he say about the murderer's nationality?
(a) that he is an Athenian
(b) that he is a Corinthian
(c) that he comes from no nation
(d) that he will turn out to be a native Theban

11. Who does the priest say has gathered?
(a) townspeople from the very young to the very old
(b) everyone but those ill from disease
(c) all the sick and elderly townspeople
(d) all the young and hearty townspeople

12. Why does the priest say they've come to Oedipus?
(a) because he's a god to the town
(b) because he's the first among men
(c) because he's got the power of wealth
(d) because he's the one they all blame

13. What does Teiresias say makes him strong?
(a) the gods
(b) the truth
(c) anger
(d) his powers

14. Before he leaves, what does Oedipus say will happen?
(a) The whole town, and Oedipus himself, will definitely be ruined.
(b) The gods will decide the outcome, and the murderer's fate is in their hands.
(c) The murderer will definitely be caught and punished.
(d) Either the murderer will be caught and punished, or else they will all be ruined.

15. At the end of the scene, what does Oedipus ask the people to stand up and take?
(a) pity on him in his misery
(b) the news to the outlying farms
(c) arms
(d) their suppliant branches

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What does Creon say stopped the city from looking into the king's death?

3. Why does the priest tell the people that they can leave at the end of the scene?

4. Who speaks for the people of Thebes as their leader?

5. How does Oedipus react to Teiresias' unwillingness to speak?

(see the answer keys)

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