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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. 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.

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

4. 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 that the audience can easily pity.
(c) Infuse irony throughout the story.
(d) Pick characters whose relationships to one another make the actions of the plot more interesting.

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

6. How does Aristotle compare the medium of poetry and prose?
(a) Both use the same medium and meter.
(b) It is nothing like prose.
(c) Both use the same medium and rhythm.
(d) Both use the same medium.

7. In the context of poetry, Aristotle explains that rhythm is used in the form of a what?
(a) Mysterious undertone.
(b) Meter.
(c) Specific beat.
(d) Harmony.

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

9. What reason does Aristotle give for Homer excluding many things that Odysseus does on his voyage home in the "Odyssey"?
(a) Aristotle says that Homer excludes things because they do not relate well to the overall plot that is being constructed.
(b) Nothing is excluded.
(c) Aristotle explains that Homer prefers to keep the reader guessing.
(d) Aristotle says that Odysseus does some embarrassing things that are better left unsaid.

10. Aristotle teaches that the beginning of a well-written tragedy starts at what point?
(a) Where the narrative has dependence upon events that happen prior to it.
(b) Where the narrative has no dependence upon events that happened prior to it.
(c) In the middle and uses the method of flashback to tell what preceded.
(d) With the end and uses the method of flashback to tell the rest.

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

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

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Aristotle states that poetry depicts what?

2. In art, Aristotle defines the medium as what?

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

4. What type of story does Aristotle define as "episodic"?

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

(see the answer keys)

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