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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where does Creon say the murderer of Lauis is?
(a) on the nearby mountain
(b) hiding in the countryside
(c) in Corinth
(d) in Thebes

2. Who does Teiresias say he was "wise enough" to?
(a) Oedipus' parents
(b) Creon
(c) Apollo
(d) the gods

3. What does the chorus say about Oedipus' possible motive for killing Laius?
(a) The chorus knows of no quarrel between the two houses.
(b) The chorus thinks Oedipus may have been angry.
(c) The chorus thinks Oedipus may have desired the throne.
(d) The chorus remembers rumors of a quarrel between the two houses.

4. Why does the priest say they've come to Oedipus?
(a) because he's the one they all blame
(b) because he's got the power of wealth
(c) because he's the first among men
(d) because he's a god to the town

5. Who does the chorus leader say should reveal the murderer?
(a) Creon
(b) Laius
(c) Apollo
(d) Oedipus

6. At the end of the scene, what does Oedipus ask the people to stand up and take?
(a) their suppliant branches
(b) arms
(c) pity on him in his misery
(d) the news to the outlying farms

7. Before Teiresias leaves, what does he say about the murderer's nationality?
(a) that he is an Athenian
(b) that he will turn out to be a native Theban
(c) that he is a Corinthian
(d) that he comes from no nation

8. Why does Oedipus ask Creon to speak in front of the townspeople?
(a) Oedipus feels more for the townspeople than for his own life.
(b) Oedipus wants to show the townspeople he's not afraid.
(c) Oedipus wants to show Creon that he's not afraid.
(d) Oedipus wants the townspeople to become used to Creon's voice.

9. What does the priest say that Oedipus will be king of, if he doesn't solve the town's problems?
(a) an ocean
(b) a mountain
(c) a desert
(d) a forest

10. How does Teiresias respond when Oedipus says the prophet speaks in riddles?
(a) that Oedipus is good at solving riddles
(b) that the truth is as complex as a riddle
(c) that life is a riddle
(d) that Oedipus will wish this riddle were never solved

11. What does Oedipus say the killers had to have?
(a) a promise of reward from Corinth
(b) financial help from Thebes
(c) a dictate from a prophet
(d) a dictate from a god

12. How does Oedipus react to Teiresias' unwillingness to speak?
(a) with fear
(b) with sorrow
(c) jokingly
(d) angrily

13. What does the priest point out about Oedipus overcoming the Sphinx?
(a) Oedipus defeated the Sphinx only out of sheer luck.
(b) Oedipus had no more knowledge or instruction than the townspeople, and yet was able to solve the riddle.
(c) Oedipus was able to defeat the Sphinx because of his powerful arm and his connections to royalty.
(d) Oedipus used superior training to defeat the Sphinx, and no one else had the same benefits.

14. What is Oedipus' attitude toward Teiresias when he first speaks to the prophet?
(a) deferential and complimentary
(b) angry and ironic
(c) derisive and snide
(d) defensive and annoyed

15. Why does Oedipus feel linked to Laius?
(a) He feels drawn to the memory of Laius.
(b) He feels bound to Laius by the Sphinx's riddle.
(c) He is now married to Laius' wife.
(d) He says the prophets have linked him to Laius.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Oedipus ask of the citizens of Thebes?

2. What does Teiresias say Oedipus doesn't know?

3. What does Teiresias say makes him strong?

4. What reason does Teiresias give for not answering Oedipus' questions?

5. What does the chorus leader rebuke both Oedipus and Teiresias for?

(see the answer keys)

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