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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Aristotle believe that a failed action by a person who is aware of the circumstances is considered to be of a certain quality?
(a) An audience does not like happy endings.
(b) A person who is aware is boring.
(c) The person was already aware and no disaster occurs.
(d) A failed action interrupts the flow.

2. 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) The action may be done unknowingly.
(c) The action may be done knowingly.
(d) An action can either be done or not done.

3. 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.

4. Why does Aristotle believe that a failed action by a character that is unaware is more effective than a failed action by a character that is aware?
(a) The morals of the character that is unaware remain intact, and the first situation inspires more fear.
(b) They are equally ineffective.
(c) The second situation inspires more fear, but less pity.
(d) They are equally effective.

5. Aristotle explains that the complication in plot leads to what?
(a) The unraveling.
(b) The sequel to the story.
(c) The death of the main character.
(d) A tragic action.

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

7. Aristotle explains that the complication accomplishes what?
(a) It draws the reader in with the suspense of how the problem will be resolved, if it ever is.
(b) It gives the reader a sense of resolution.
(c) It ties the beginning to the end.
(d) It evokes pity.

8. How does Aristotle characterize tragedies with happy endings?
(a) He says they are Roman poetry.
(b) He calls them great tragedies.
(c) He says they are Greek poetry.
(d) He calls them comedies.

9. Based on Aristotle's teachings about tragedy, how can the poet unify the plot?
(a) Use more verbs.
(b) Establishing clear relationships between actions the rest of the plot.
(c) Develop characters who behave in a believable manner.
(d) Use complete sentences.

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

11. Aristotle explains that a sign is one of four types of recognition. What is an example of recognition occurring through the use of a sign?
(a) A character receives a psychic reading.
(b) A character has a vivid dream.
(c) A character recognizes another by a certain scar or birthmark.
(d) A character's action is interrupted by what seems to be divine intervention.

12. What does Aristotle consider to be the most tragic event?
(a) Adultery.
(b) A mother abandoning her child.
(c) Two lovers splitting up.
(d) A member of a family killing another.

13. As Aristotle explains, when an evil main character of a tragic story experiences misfortune, why doesn't this inspire certain key emotions in the audience?
(a) Often, people get angry when another gets hurt.
(b) People do not enjoy watching another suffer.
(c) The man will be perceived as receiving what he deserved.
(d) People fear similar misfortune.

14. Why does Aristotle say that Homer's "Iliad" is not a tragedy?
(a) It is a happy story.
(b) It has too many episodes and sub-stories to fit the format.
(c) The reader feels no pity.
(d) It lacks irony.

15. Aristotle explains that tragedies should have what that other poems do not?
(a) A much more limited scale.
(b) Death.
(c) More sadness.
(d) More irony.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Aristotle, why do the greatest tragedy poets always choose characters that belong to such groups?

2. If the characters conquer the problem, how does Aristotle say the tragedy ends?

3. What is the purpose of the conclusion according to Aristotle?

4. In addition to a sign, what is the second kind of recognition as identified by Aristotle?

5. Based on "Poetics", how will the effect of a sad plot of a tragic story be magnified?

(see the answer keys)

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