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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Oedipus ask Creon about Teiresias?
(a) whether Teiresias makes a profit from the town because of his prophesies
(b) how long Teiresias has been blind
(c) why Teiresias didn't give the identity of Laius' murderer at the time of the death
(d) how long Teiresias has lived in Thebes

2. Where did the old shepherd grow up?
(a) in Corinth
(b) in a poor house in Thebes
(c) in Laius' house
(d) in a distant village

3. What does Oedipus ask about Polybus' death?
(a) what the cause of his death was
(b) whether his mother knows of the death
(c) what time of day he died
(d) what Polybus said before his death

4. What does Creon say can validate a man who is true?
(a) the gods
(b) time
(c) prophecy
(d) nature

5. What is Oedipus' initial reaction when Creon asks to explain himself?
(a) Oedipus refuses to listen to anything Creon has to say.
(b) Oedipus says he'll listen, but he's afraid of Creon's smooth tongue.
(c) Oedipus is eager to hear Creon's explanation.
(d) Oedipus says that he'll listen, and he hopes he can trust Creon.

6. What does Jocasta say about human prophecy?
(a) No human is skilled in prophecy.
(b) Oedipus is a fool not to listen to human prophets.
(c) Some human prophets are true and some are false.
(d) Human prophets are the voices of gods.

7. What does Oedipus seem to think Jocasta is afraid of learning about his birth?
(a) that he's older than they believed
(b) that he's not born of natural parents
(c) that he's Polybus' son after all
(d) that he's of low social status

8. How long would the shepherds stay in the fields each year?
(a) six months
(b) three months
(c) nine months
(d) one month

9. Who does the shepherd say gave him the infant child?
(a) Jocasta's maid
(b) Laius's servant
(c) Laius
(d) Jocasta

10. Why does Jocasta come to pray to Apollo?
(a) to ask for her own safety
(b) to pray that Oedipus be forgiven
(c) to cleanse what is corrupting Thebes
(d) to ask for Oedipus to be banished

11. What does Creon say Oedipus can do, if he finds proof Creon's lying?
(a) kill Creon before his sister's eyes
(b) banish Creon from the kingdom forever
(c) cut Creon's throat then and there
(d) arrest Creon and sentence him to death

12. Who does the messenger say gave Oedipus to Polybus?
(a) Laius
(b) Creon
(c) the messenger
(d) a stranger

13. What does Oedipus first say to Jocasta, after questioning the messenger about Polybus' death?
(a) He wonders why anyone would pay homage to Apollo's prophets.
(b) He says that this foretells a new era of prosperity in Thebes.
(c) He regrets that he left his home in Corinth without reason.
(d) He says he must immediately leave for Corinth to see his mother.

14. Does the shepherd identify the messenger as someone he's met?
(a) No, but it's clear he is lying and soon admits the lie.
(b) No, he says he doesn't remember the man at first.
(c) Yes, but it's clear he is lying and soon admits the lie.
(d) Yes, he identifies the messenger easily.

15. What does Creon do initially when he hears Oedipus charged him with causing Teiresias to lie?
(a) challenges Oedipus to a fight
(b) makes a counterclaim of treason against Oedipus
(c) flees the city of Thebes
(d) talks to the people of Thebes

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the old shepherd fear will happen to him if he tells the truth?

2. Who asks the old shepherd whether he gave an infant baby to the messenger years ago?

3. Who does Jocasta say told her about Laius' death?

4. What children did Polybus have before Oedipus?

5. What possible explanation does the chorus leader give for Oedipus' charge against Creon?

(see the answer keys)

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