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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In a tragedy, Aristotle warns that the poet must NOT choose a character who is altogether what?
(a) Good.
(b) Evil.
(c) Generous.
(d) Bitter.

2. Artistically, what type of recognition does Aristotle consider to be a serious flaw?
(a) Recognition through divine intervention.
(b) Recognition that occurs suddenly.
(c) Recognition that is not connected with the flow of the plot.
(d) A recurring recognition.

3. What does Aristotle believe to be the goal of tragedy?
(a) To inspire pity.
(b) To inspire fear and pity.
(c) To inspire anger.
(d) To inspire fear.

4. In a tragedy, Aristotle says that the main character cannot be what?
(a) Flawless.
(b) Insecure.
(c) Self-centered.
(d) Speaking in the third person.

5. What type of tragedy does Aristotle say does NOT require impressive visual effects when performed on stage to impress their spectators?
(a) An unusual tragedy.
(b) A complex tragedy.
(c) An episodic tragedy.
(d) A superior tragedy with a strong plot.

6. In a tragedy, which of the following would Aristotle consider to be false?
(a) The action is more tragic when a person who is aware of the circumstances does not perform the action.
(b) An action can either be done or not done.
(c) The action may be done unknowingly.
(d) The action may be done knowingly.

7. What does Aristotle identify as a poet's medium?
(a) Language and heart.
(b) Language and passion.
(c) Language.
(d) Spiritual inspiration.

8. What does Aristotle say that a well-crafted tragedy has?
(a) Consistent foreshadowing.
(b) Excellent irony.
(c) Powerful characters with morals.
(d) A masterfully written complication and unraveling.

9. What is the third type of recognition as identified by Aristotle?
(a) One that occurs from a bad dream.
(b) One that occurs through the awakening of some memory or latent emotion.
(c) One that occurs from a good dream.
(d) One that occurs through divine intervention.

10. What type of stories does Aristotle identify as more fit for epic poems than tragedies?
(a) Stories with happy endings.
(b) Stories that give true historical accounts.
(c) Stories of considerably greater length and scope.
(d) Stories that are shorter and to the point.

11. When is a sign considered to be poorly used in the plot device of recognition according to Aristotle?
(a) When the sign is recognized, but no action is taken.
(b) When the sole purpose of the sign is for recognition.
(c) When the sign is destroyed.
(d) When the sign goes unrecognized.

12. What other name does Aristotle give to the conclusion of a tragedy?
(a) The climax.
(b) The unraveling.
(c) The turning point.
(d) The big tragic event.

13. What is the purpose of the conclusion according to Aristotle?
(a) It leads to the middle of the story.
(b) It shows how the problem is eventually solved or not solved.
(c) It gives the reader a sense of suspense.
(d) It ties the beginning and the end together.

14. What example does Aristotle use to demonstrate his point of epic vs. tragedy formats?
(a) Homer's "Iliad".
(b) The failures of many poets who attempted to make an epic poem a tragedy.
(c) The success of many poets who attempted to make an epic poem a tragedy.
(d) His own personal work.

15. Why does Aristotle believe that the main character of a tragedy ought to be a certain way?
(a) People take pity on weak characters.
(b) A main character can become strong.
(c) Because no one is perfect.
(d) Because the character's weakness ought to be the cause of his misfortune.

Short Answer Questions

1. In a tragic story, a mother who is about to kill her son--and she is aware that it is her son--does not carry out the action. Aristotle uses this as an example of what?

2. What does Aristotle consider to be the most tragic event?

3. What example does Aristotle provide of recognition occurring through the will of the poet?

4. Aristotle asserts that the main character of a tragedy must have what?

5. As Aristotle explains, why must a poet be sensitive to the nature of language?

(see the answer keys)

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