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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Aristotle explains that tragedy is not only concerned with the depiction of just any action, but of actions that inspire what?
(a) Resentment.
(b) Anger.
(c) Pity.
(d) Happiness.

2. Men are drawn to write poetry for several reasons. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons Aristotle provides?
(a) Man enjoys learning.
(b) Man is naturally attracted to beauty.
(c) Man is naturally attracted to imitation.
(d) There is a natural attraction to rhythm and harmony.

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

4. How does Aristotle define "Recognition"?
(a) An understanding of something.
(b) A sudden realization that one is familiar with something.
(c) A deep knowing.
(d) A change from ignorance to knowledge.

5. Into what two types does Aristotle divide actions?
(a) Congruent and incongruent.
(b) Happy and sad.
(c) Good and bad.
(d) Simple and complex.

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 be mysterious.
(c) A good plot must be tragic in the beginning, middle, and end.
(d) A good plot must have disconnected episodes that tie together at the end.

7. Aristotle says what type of poetry imitates the "lower" types of men?
(a) Tragedy.
(b) Comedy.
(c) Roman poetry.
(d) Greek poetry.

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

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

10. 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.

11. Aristotle says that storytelling with episodic plots is to be favored by whom?
(a) Poor poets.
(b) Aristotle.
(c) Homer.
(d) No one.

12. What type of poetry does Aristotle say focuses on serious and important actions?
(a) None of the answers is correct.
(b) Roman poetry.
(c) Greek poetry.
(d) Tragedy.

13. In the context of poetry and according to Aristotle's teachings, why is man naturally attracted to imitation?
(a) Imitation is a form of acting.
(b) It is a lot of fun.
(c) It is through imitation that man most easily learns.
(d) Imitation is less expensive.

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

15. Aristotle asserts that men who find poetry very attractive find great pleasure in what?
(a) Eating.
(b) Sleeping.
(c) Learning.
(d) Cleaning.

Short Answer Questions

1. Aristotle explains that actions described in a tragic plot should have certain characteristics. Which one of the following is NOT one of the characteristics that Aristotle identifies?

2. Per Aristotle, the unity of plot is what to the unity of a character's actions?

3. The plot, as Aristotle explains, should be unified in such a way that each part should be what?

4. In a tragedy, how does Aristotle say the element of surprise should come about?

5. What type of action does Aristotle say occurs with "Recognition" and/or "Reversal of Situation"?

(see the answer keys)

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