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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Aristotle warns that a tragedy poet should be careful with what?
(a) Writing the middle, as it is the most important part of a tragedy.
(b) The poet should be careful not to write a happy ending.
(c) Choosing ironic events.
(d) Picking the content for the poem.

2. 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?
(a) The least impressive type of action.
(b) Reconsideration.
(c) Reversal of Situation.
(d) Recognition.

3. 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 has a vivid dream.
(b) A character recognizes another by a certain scar or birthmark.
(c) A character receives a psychic reading.
(d) A character's action is interrupted by what seems to be divine intervention.

4. When an evil character of a tragic story is suddenly thrust into misfortune, it has been said that this satisfies the moral sense of the audience, but Aristotle asserts that the misfortune does not inspire what?
(a) Anger.
(b) Joy.
(c) Pity.
(d) Fear.

5. In a good tragedy as defined by Aristotle, why wouldn't you see two evil men fighting and killing one another?
(a) This action would not inspire pity.
(b) A tragedy only has one evil character.
(c) It would be boring.
(d) Evil men team up, not fight each other.

6. Aristotle says that it's important for any poet to master what in a tragedy?
(a) The complication and unraveling.
(b) The main character's life and death.
(c) The middle of the story.
(d) The beginning of the story.

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

8. To Aristotle, what type of recognition is considered superior to any other kind?
(a) Recognition based on rumors.
(b) Recognition through reasoning.
(c) Recognition through a holy experience.
(d) Recognition through the use of a sign.

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

10. If the story is performed, why, according to Aristotle, should actors act with appropriate gestures to demonstrate their emotions and thoughts as the story progresses?
(a) Aristotle says that gestures compensate for a bad story.
(b) Aristotle says that spectators will not be able to infer these simply from the dialog alone.
(c) Gestures are more important than dialogue.
(d) None of the answers is correct.

11. 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 superior tragedy with a strong plot.
(c) A complex tragedy.
(d) An episodic tragedy.

12. 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) The person was already aware and no disaster occurs.
(c) A failed action interrupts the flow.
(d) A person who is aware is boring.

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

14. Based on Aristotle's "Poetics", great tragedy poets always choose characters that belong to what?
(a) Various churches.
(b) Universities.
(c) Small social groups.
(d) Wealthy and prominent families.

15. According to Aristotle, why do the greatest tragedy poets always choose characters that belong to such groups?
(a) A character with few friends is more interesting.
(b) An educated character is more believable.
(c) A fall from such a great height will impress the spectator.
(d) A moral character is more believable.

Short Answer Questions

1. What example does Aristotle use to demonstrate his point of epic vs. tragedy formats?

2. Aristotle explains that the complication in plot leads to what?

3. Based on Aristotle's teachings about tragedy, how can the poet unify the plot?

4. According to Aristotle, what happens in a legitimate tragedy?

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

(see the answer keys)

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