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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 does Encolpius do at night when the boy he tutors falls asleep?
(a) Gambles in the marketplace.
(b) Reads private letters.
(c) Works a second job.
(d) Fondles and kisses him.

2. Why does the translator say the book skips around and has gaps in the story?
(a) Because he does not want to be blamed for missing content.
(b) Because he is eccentric.
(c) So readers will not be confused by the fragmentation.
(d) Because he couldn't translate everything.

3. How is the chef who cooked the newly roasted pig saved?
(a) Guests plead for his mercy.
(b) Trimalchio gets tired of dealing with him.
(c) His children ask for their father not to be killed.
(d) His wife begs.

4. What fine must Tryphaena pay if she forces Giton into sexual acts?
(a) 1000 sesterces.
(b) 1000 pecos.
(c) 200 denarii.
(d) 2000 coins.

5. What is the "problem" with the newly roasted pig presented at the dinner?
(a) The host doesn't like ham.
(b) It wasn't gutted.
(c) It's not fully cooked.
(d) They forgot the apple in its mouth.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which emperor had high literary ambitions?

2. How does the decorated platter play into the entertainment for the evening?

3. What role does Giton play when Ascyltus and Encolpius attend the special dinner?

4. Why, according to the translator, is "The Satyricon" difficult to classify?

5. Which student loses interest in the poetry recited by the teacher and leaves class to find a friend?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Petronius' title in the emperor's court and what significance was the title?

2. What job does Encolpius have in Pergamum and why does he accept it?

3. How does Trimalchio arrive at his dinner party and how is he dressed for the occasion?

4. Who does Encolpius meet at a museum and what relationship develops between the two people?

5. Who does Encolpius want to stab in the spleen and why?

6. Encolpius blames teachers for making young students grow up to become worthless people. Who else does he blame and why?

7. What joke involving a pig does Trimalchio play on his guests?

8. What link does Petronius fail to make in "The Satyricon"?

9. What character fault does Eumolpus have and how does Encolpius try to help him overcome it?

10. Is Petronius a typical satirist for his era? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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