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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Aristotle states that poetry depicts what?
(a) History.
(b) Things that happen according to the "laws of probability and necessity."
(c) Things that happen based on fact and fiction.
(d) The future.

2. Aristotle explains that the medium specific to poetry is one that uses what?
(a) Pictures.
(b) Rhyme.
(c) Language alone.
(d) Words and pictures.

3. According to Aristotle, how should the plot of a well-written tragedy be structured?
(a) With a logical beginning and end.
(b) A structured plot makes bad poetry.
(c) With the end that makes readers want more.
(d) It should leave the reader guessing until the end.

4. What type of action does Aristotle say occurs without "Recognition" or "Reversal of Situation"?
(a) Sad.
(b) Incongruent.
(c) Simple.
(d) Good.

5. What does Aristotle identify as the most essential element of tragedy?
(a) Rhyme.
(b) Plot.
(c) Character.
(d) Irony.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Aristotle differentiate poetry from prose?

2. How does Aristotle say the different types of poetry emerged?

3. Aristotle says that storytelling with episodic plots is to be favored by whom?

4. When a poet simply straightforwardly describes the events as they happen, what method does Aristotle say the poet is using?

5. Like any art, poetry is defined by Aristotle as what?

(see the answer key)

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