1. How does Aristotle define "strange" words?
(a) Words that belong to another culture or society.
(b) Words that are used by the elite and well-educated.
(c) Words that refer to strange things.
(d) None of the answers is correct.

2. What, as Aristotle states, are good poets forced to do when they write stories with episodic plots?
(a) To write poorly.
(b) To write better.
(c) To shorten their stories.
(d) To lengthen their stories.

3. Per Aristotle, in which of the following ways does poetry NOT differ from history?
(a) Poetry tells the future, and history tells the past.
(b) Poetry is a higher pursuit than history.
(c) History is concerned simply with facts.
(d) Poetry depicts what happens according to the "laws of probability and necessity."

4. Why does Aristotle believe that the main character of a tragedy ought to be a certain way?
(a) A main character can become strong.
(b) Because no one is perfect.
(c) People take pity on weak characters.
(d) Because the character's weakness ought to be the cause of his misfortune.

5. Aristotle explains that a sign is one of four types of recognition. What is an example of recognition occurring through the use of a sign?
(a) A character's action is interrupted by what seems to be divine intervention.
(b) A character receives a psychic reading.
(c) A character recognizes another by a certain scar or birthmark.
(d) A character has a vivid dream.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Aristotle believe that a failed action by a character that is unaware is more effective than a failed action by a character that is aware?

2. Into what two types does Aristotle divide actions?

3. What does Aristotle identify as the foundation of good poetry writing?

4. In a good tragedy, Aristotle explains that the misfortune the main character experiences is usually caused by what?

5. What does Aristotle say was the purpose of Homer's specifying the number of deeds Odysseus accomplished?

(see the answer key)

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