View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Aristotle, how does tragedy achieve the emotion it inspires?
(a) Deceit.
(b) Using the element of surprise.
(c) Irony.
(d) Contradiction.

2. In what three ways does Aristotle differentiate various art forms from one another?
(a) Era, objects, and manner of imitation.
(b) According to the artist, era, and artistic effort.
(c) By the medium, objects, and manner of imitation.
(d) Manner of imitation, artist, and era.

3. Aristotle says that at most, episodic plots involve what?
(a) The same characters.
(b) Sad middle and happy ending.
(c) Disconnected foreshadowing.
(d) Strange irony.

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

5. When one character realizes that another character has fewer morals than he once thought, what does Aristotle say is happening?
(a) Bad judgment.
(b) Growth.
(c) Recognition.
(d) Opportunity.

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

7. What does Aristotle identify as the foundation of good poetry writing?
(a) An interesting twist or turn.
(b) Probability and necessity.
(c) Using well-researched historical events.
(d) Irony.

8. What does Aristotle consider to be secondary to the most essential element of tragedy?
(a) Development of irony.
(b) Development of rhyme.
(c) Development of character.
(d) Development of imitation.

9. According to Aristotle, why do good poets sometimes write stories using episodic plots?
(a) To showcase their skills in contests.
(b) Because episodic plots are considered more interesting.
(c) They never write stories using episodic plots.
(d) For the challenge.

10. Aristotle defines poetic work as what?
(a) A philosophical undertaking.
(b) A spiritual journey.
(c) A love affair.
(d) A bad imitation.

11. What type of action does Aristotle say occurs with "Recognition" and/or "Reversal of Situation"?
(a) Happy.
(b) Bad.
(c) Congruent.
(d) Complex.

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

13. How does Aristotle differentiate poetry from prose?
(a) Poetry uses language alone.
(b) Poetry uses rhythm in the form of meter.
(c) They are the same.
(d) Prose uses pictures and music.

14. In poetry, Aristotle says that in the "Odyssey" recognition comes about how??
(a) Penelope recognizes his walk.
(b) The suitors recognize him by his face.
(c) Odyssues's nurse recognizes him from his scar.
(d) None of the answers is correct..

15. 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.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Aristotle identify as the most essential element of tragedy?

2. What men does Aristotle consider to be "lower" types?

3. Aristotle teaches that the beginning of a well-written tragedy starts at what point?

4. What is history according to Aristotle?

5. In the context of poetry and according to Aristotle's teachings, why is man naturally attracted to imitation?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 628 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample