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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section III.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Aristotle say the different types of poetry emerged?
(a) Peers voted on their preference.
(b) The most talented poets decided on the different types.
(c) From non-fiction.
(d) From the personalities of different types of men.

2. What is one of the requirements Aristotle mentions for a good tragic plot?
(a) A good plot must be mysterious.
(b) A good plot must have disconnected episodes that tie together at the end.
(c) A good plot must be unified.
(d) A good plot must be tragic in the beginning, middle, and end.

3. Like any art, poetry is defined by Aristotle as what?
(a) A funny story.
(b) A kind of imitation.
(c) A theatrical play.
(d) A rhyme with more than four sentences.

4. What is the name that Aristotle uses for everyday words that every member of the audience can understand?
(a) "Common" words.
(b) "Simple" words.
(c) "Current" words.
(d) "Monosyllabic" words.

5. In a tragedy, which of the following would Aristotle consider to be false?
(a) The action may be done knowingly.
(b) The action is more tragic when a person who is aware of the circumstances does not perform the action.
(c) An action can either be done or not done.
(d) The action may be done unknowingly.

Short Answer Questions

1. Based on "Poetics" by Aristotle, how many deeds does Homer say Odysseus accomplished?

2. Aristotle explains that the poet can err through lacking the artistic capacity to do what?

3. Aristotle says that a poet must understand what in order to write a scene of love effectively between a man and a woman?

4. In a good tragedy as defined by Aristotle, why wouldn't you see two evil men fighting and killing one another?

5. According to Aristotle, why do good poets sometimes write stories using episodic plots?

(see the answer key)

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