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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In how many ways does Aristotle say the method of imitation can differ?
(a) Countless.
(b) Two.
(c) Four.
(d) Ten.

2. What type of action does Aristotle say occurs with "Recognition" and/or "Reversal of Situation"?
(a) Complex.
(b) Congruent.
(c) Happy.
(d) Bad.

3. What men does Aristotle consider to be "lower" types?
(a) Single men.
(b) Men who are poor and unhealthy.
(c) Men who are defective in some way, but not altogether evil or malicious towards others.
(d) Unemployed men.

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

5. What is one of the requirements Aristotle mentions for a good tragic plot?
(a) A good plot must be unified.
(b) A good plot must be tragic in the beginning, middle, and end.
(c) A good plot must be mysterious.
(d) A good plot must have disconnected episodes that tie together at the end.

Short Answer Questions

1. Aristotle teaches that the beginning of a well-written tragedy starts at what point?

2. The object poetry portrays is what, according to Aristotle?

3. What does Aristotle consider to be secondary to the most essential element of tragedy?

4. According to Aristotle, how does tragedy achieve the emotion it inspires?

5. According to Aristotle, why do good poets sometimes write stories using episodic plots?

Short Essay Questions

1. Based on Section I of Aristotle's "Poetics", how is the medium specific to poetry similar to and different from prose?

2. What are two reasons Aristotle says that men are drawn to write poetry?

3. What does Aristotle say about the the beginning and end of a tragic plot?

4. How does Aristotle define tragedy as a type of poetry?

5. Aristotle explains that the object which poetry portrays is men in action. How may poets differ in how they represent these men?

6. How does Aristotle say that poetry differs from history?

7. Is the unity of plot the same as the unity of a character's actions? Explain.

8. How does Aristotle classify or divide actions? Explain.

9. Aristotle points out that good poets may also write episodic stories. What reason does he give?

10. According to Aristotle, how does the method of imitation differ?

(see the answer keys)

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