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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is history according to Aristotle?
(a) Accounts that may or may not have happened.
(b) Lies.
(c) Rumors promoted as truth.
(d) Concerned simply with facts.

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

3. A character attempting to save his friend but accidentally killing him instead is an example Aristotle gives for what?
(a) Recognition.
(b) Bad luck.
(c) Second degree manslaughter.
(d) Reversal of Situation.

4. 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?
(a) Actions should be interesting.
(b) Actions should help the reader grasp the significance of the whole.
(c) Actions should be not too small or too large.
(d) Actions should be minute and trivial.

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

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

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

8. When a poet simply straightforwardly describes the events as they happen, what method does Aristotle say the poet is using?
(a) The method of imitation.
(b) The method of third person.
(c) The method of recognition.
(d) The method of first person.

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

10. 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.

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

12. What does Aristotle call the individual episodes of a story with an episodic plot?
(a) Funny.
(b) Dependent stories.
(c) Interesting.
(d) Isolated stories.

13. What type of story does Aristotle define as "episodic"?
(a) A sad story.
(b) A great story.
(c) A dramatic story.
(d) A particularly poor story.

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

15. Aristotle believes that a poet can turn a complex plot into a simple one by doing what?
(a) Hard work and dedication.
(b) Focus.
(c) Eliminating recognition and/or reversal of situation.
(d) Adding more character flaws.

Short Answer Questions

1. When a poet presents the poem in the voice of one of the characters, what method does Aristotle say that the poet is using?

2. How does Aristotle define "Recognition"?

3. What, as Aristotle states, are good poets forced to do when they write stories with episodic plots?

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

5. Men are drawn to write poetry for several reasons. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons Aristotle provides?

(see the answer keys)

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