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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Aristotle say about the element of surprise in a tragedy?
(a) It helps inspire sadness.
(b) It helps inspire pity.
(c) It helps inspire joy.
(d) It keeps the reader guessing and interested.

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

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

4. In art, Aristotle defines the medium as what?
(a) The artist's spiritual inspiration.
(b) The average.
(c) A middle state or condition.
(d) The manner in which the art is produced.

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

6. In poetry, Aristotle explains that the "Recognition" is almost always what?
(a) A tragedy.
(b) The end of the poem.
(c) Between two characters.
(d) A surprise.

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

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

9. Concerning the "laws of probability and necessity," what statement below is NOT correct according to Aristotle's teachings in "Poetics"?
(a) The poet portrays what events could possibly happen in the world.
(b) The poet implies his understanding of how the world works.
(c) The poet implies his vision of how the world should be.
(d) The poet implies his notion of justice.

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

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

12. In order for a plot to be truly effective in achieving the desired emotional response from its readers or audience, Aristotle says that the poet must do what?
(a) Write a tragedy with a sad ending.
(b) Pick characters whose relationships to one another make the actions of the plot more interesting.
(c) Infuse irony throughout the story.
(d) Pick characters that the audience can easily pity.

13. Aristotle states that poetry depicts what?
(a) Things that happen based on fact and fiction.
(b) The future.
(c) History.
(d) Things that happen according to the "laws of probability and necessity."

14. In an episodic plot, Aristotle explains that the individual episodes of the story bear what to one another?
(a) A lot of similarity.
(b) Opposition.
(c) Irony.
(d) Little or no relation to one another.

15. What type of situation does Aristotle explain occurs more frequently in tragedy?
(a) A child being abandoned.
(b) A member of a family killing another member.
(c) The main character dying from illness.
(d) The protagonist losing one of his or her five senses.

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. Like any art, poetry is defined by Aristotle as what?

3. Aristotle explains that the medium specific to poetry is one that uses what?

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

5. What is one of the requirements Aristotle mentions for a good tragic plot?

(see the answer keys)

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