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

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

2. In how many ways does Aristotle say the method of imitation can differ?
(a) Two.
(b) Ten.
(c) Four.
(d) Countless.

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

4. What are the ways Aristotle explains in regard to how poets differ in their representation of the object?
(a) Poets can portray the objects as worse or the same as they are.
(b) Poets can portray the object as better or worse, but never the same as they are.
(c) Poets can portray the objects as worse, better, or the same as they are
(d) There is no difference in the way poets portray the objects.

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

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

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

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

9. In poetry, what is the term that Aristotle gives for an action that aims to accomplish a certain goal, but actually accomplishes the opposite?
(a) Failure.
(b) Reversal of Situation.
(c) Tragedy.
(d) Irony.

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

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

12. In art, what does Aristotle believe to be the object?
(a) Usually an animal.
(b) What the art imitates.
(c) Usually a person.
(d) Something solid.

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

14. 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.

15. When the poet takes the appropriate steps in developing plot, Aristotle explains that the poet is much more likely to do what?
(a) Choose great characters.
(b) Have more consistencies in the plot.
(c) Have a strong ending.
(d) Have a strong beginning.

Short Answer Questions

1. A character attempting to save his friend but accidentally killing him instead is an example Aristotle gives for what?

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

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

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

5. In the context of poetry, Aristotle explains that rhythm is used in the form of a what?

(see the answer keys)

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