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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When constructing the plot, the poet ought to do what first, according to Aristotle?
(a) Develop the ending of the story.
(b) Develop the beginning of the story.
(c) Fill out the individual episodes and scenes.
(d) Outline the plot in totality.

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

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

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

5. According to Aristotle, what happens in a legitimate tragedy?
(a) Not everyone winds up happy.
(b) Everyone wins at the end.
(c) The antagonist dies.
(d) The main character dies.

6. 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 effective.
(c) The second situation inspires more fear, but less pity.
(d) They are equally ineffective.

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

8. 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.

9. 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 beginning of the story.
(d) The middle of the story.

10. As Aristotle explains, why must a poet be sensitive to the nature of language?
(a) Language is to a poet as paint is to a painter.
(b) There are infinite words from which to choose.
(c) The nature of language in unpredictable.
(d) Language is very complicated.

11. As Aristotle states, what ways are epic poems different from other poems, specifically tragedies?
(a) They tend to rhyme.
(b) They are much shorter.
(c) The meter of epic poems is unimportant.
(d) They are of considerably greater length and scope.

12. In addition to a sign, what is the second kind of recognition as identified by Aristotle?
(a) A psychic reading.
(b) A bad dream.
(c) One that occurs simply by the will of the poet.
(d) Divine intervention.

13. What does Aristotle say occurs at the beginning of a tragic story?
(a) Simplicity.
(b) The unraveling.
(c) The foreshadowing of tragic actions.
(d) The complication.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Based on Aristotle's "Poetics", great tragedy poets always choose characters that belong to what?

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

3. If the problem conquers the characters, how does Aristotle say the tragedy ends?

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

5. Into how many parts does Aristotle divide the plot of a tragedy?

(see the answer keys)

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