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

2. What does Aristotle identify as the foundation of good poetry writing?
(a) An interesting twist or turn.
(b) Using well-researched historical events.
(c) Probability and necessity.
(d) Irony.

3. Per Aristotle, in which of the following ways does poetry NOT differ from history?
(a) Poetry tells the future, and history tells the past.
(b) History is concerned simply with facts.
(c) Poetry is a higher pursuit than history.
(d) Poetry depicts what happens according to the "laws of probability and necessity."

4. When one character realizes that another character has fewer morals than he once thought, what does Aristotle say is happening?
(a) Opportunity.
(b) Recognition.
(c) Growth.
(d) Bad judgment.

5. In the context of poetry, Aristotle explains that rhythm is used in the form of a what?
(a) Meter.
(b) Harmony.
(c) Specific beat.
(d) Mysterious undertone.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Aristotle call the individual episodes of a story with an episodic plot?

2. The plot, as Aristotle explains, should be unified in such a way that each part should be what?

3. When the poet takes the appropriate steps in developing plot, Aristotle explains that the poet is much more likely to do what?

4. According to Aristotle, how should the plot of a well-written tragedy be structured?

5. What is history according to Aristotle?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aristotle say the goal of tragedy is and how does he say good poetry accomplish this goal?

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

3. According to Aristotle, different types of poetry emerge from the personalities of different types of men. What are two examples Aristotle gives in relationship to personality of men and types of poetry?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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