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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Aristotle differentiate poetry from prose?
(a) Prose uses pictures and music.
(b) Poetry uses rhythm in the form of meter.
(c) Poetry uses language alone.
(d) They are the same.

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

3. When a poet simply straightforwardly describes the events as they happen, what method does Aristotle say the poet is using?
(a) The method of recognition.
(b) The method of third person.
(c) The method of imitation.
(d) The method of first person.

4. In poetry, Aristotle says that in the "Odyssey" recognition comes about how??
(a) None of the answers is correct..
(b) Odyssues's nurse recognizes him from his scar.
(c) Penelope recognizes his walk.
(d) The suitors recognize him by his face.

5. A character attempting to save his friend but accidentally killing him instead is an example Aristotle gives for what?
(a) Recognition.
(b) Second degree manslaughter.
(c) Reversal of Situation.
(d) Bad luck.

6. What type of poetry does Aristotle say focuses on serious and important actions?
(a) Tragedy.
(b) Roman poetry.
(c) Greek poetry.
(d) None of the answers is correct.

7. Aristotle explains that tragedy is not only concerned with the depiction of just any action, but of actions that inspire what?
(a) Anger.
(b) Happiness.
(c) Resentment.
(d) Pity.

8. In the context of poetry and according to Aristotle's teachings, why is man naturally attracted to imitation?
(a) It is through imitation that man most easily learns.
(b) It is a lot of fun.
(c) Imitation is less expensive.
(d) Imitation is a form of acting.

9. What two things does Aristotle require to be present in a well-written story?
(a) Conflict and pain.
(b) Irony and foreshadowing.
(c) Rhythm and harmony.
(d) Birth and death.

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

11. The plot, as Aristotle explains, should be unified in such a way that each part should be what?
(a) Necessary to the whole.
(b) Trivial.
(c) Equivalent.
(d) Necessary to other parts, but not to the whole.

12. What are the ways Aristotle explains in regard to how poets differ in their representation of the object?
(a) There is no difference in the way poets portray the objects.
(b) Poets can portray the objects as worse or the same as they are.
(c) Poets can portray the object as better or worse, but never the same as they are.
(d) Poets can portray the objects as worse, better, or the same as they are

13. When the poet takes the appropriate steps in developing plot, Aristotle explains that the poet is much more likely to do what?
(a) Have more consistencies in the plot.
(b) Have a strong beginning.
(c) Have a strong ending.
(d) Choose great characters.

14. Aristotle teaches that the beginning of a well-written tragedy starts at what point?
(a) Where the narrative has dependence upon events that happen prior to it.
(b) With the end and uses the method of flashback to tell the rest.
(c) Where the narrative has no dependence upon events that happened prior to it.
(d) In the middle and uses the method of flashback to tell what preceded.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In poetry, what is the term that Aristotle gives for an action that aims to accomplish a certain goal, but actually accomplishes the opposite?

2. Per Aristotle, in which of the following ways does poetry NOT differ from history?

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

4. What does Aristotle identify as the foundation of good poetry writing?

5. Aristotle asserts that men who find poetry very attractive find great pleasure in what?

(see the answer keys)

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