View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Based on Aristotle's "Poetics", great tragedy poets always choose characters that belong to what?
(a) Universities.
(b) Wealthy and prominent families.
(c) Small social groups.
(d) Various churches.

2. What does Aristotle consider to be the most tragic event?
(a) A mother abandoning her child.
(b) Two lovers splitting up.
(c) Adultery.
(d) A member of a family killing another.

3. Aristotle says that it's important for any poet to master what in a tragedy?
(a) The beginning of the story.
(b) The middle of the story.
(c) The complication and unraveling.
(d) The main character's life and death.

4. What other name does Aristotle give to the conclusion of a tragedy?
(a) The unraveling.
(b) The turning point.
(c) The climax.
(d) The big tragic event.

5. If the characters conquer the problem, how does Aristotle say the tragedy ends?
(a) Sadly.
(b) It ends too soon.
(c) Happily.
(d) Without pity.

6. As Aristotle explains, why must a poet be sensitive to the nature of language?
(a) Language is very complicated.
(b) The nature of language in unpredictable.
(c) There are infinite words from which to choose.
(d) Language is to a poet as paint is to a painter.

7. How does Aristotle characterize tragedies with happy endings?
(a) He calls them comedies.
(b) He says they are Roman poetry.
(c) He says they are Greek poetry.
(d) He calls them great tragedies.

8. If the problem conquers the characters, how does Aristotle say the tragedy ends?
(a) Successfully.
(b) Happily.
(c) It ends just at the right time.
(d) Unhappily.

9. What is the purpose of the conclusion according to Aristotle?
(a) It ties the beginning and the end together.
(b) It leads to the middle of the story.
(c) It shows how the problem is eventually solved or not solved.
(d) It gives the reader a sense of suspense.

10. According to Aristotle, what type of poets attempt to create tragedies that result in everyone ultimately being happy?
(a) Poets more concerned with pleasing their audience.
(b) Optimistic poets.
(c) Poets more interested in winning an award.
(d) Innovative poets.

11. According to Aristotle, what happens in a legitimate tragedy?
(a) Everyone wins at the end.
(b) The main character dies.
(c) The antagonist dies.
(d) Not everyone winds up happy.

12. Aristotle says that simply doing what well leaves a mediocre piece of art?
(a) Writing a complication and unraveling.
(b) Giving the reader a sense of suspense.
(c) Infusing irony just at the beginning.
(d) Developing a main character that does not have a close friend.

13. Based on Aristotle's teachings, why do some tragedies use certain effects when performed on stage?
(a) Because they are "silent" tragedies.
(b) To justify higher ticket prices.
(c) To impress their spectators.
(d) To express language visually.

14. In a good tragedy as defined by Aristotle, why wouldn't you see two evil men fighting and killing one another?
(a) A tragedy only has one evil character.
(b) This action would not inspire pity.
(c) Evil men team up, not fight each other.
(d) It would be boring.

15. If the story is performed, why, according to Aristotle, should actors act with appropriate gestures to demonstrate their emotions and thoughts as the story progresses?
(a) Aristotle says that spectators will not be able to infer these simply from the dialog alone.
(b) None of the answers is correct.
(c) Aristotle says that gestures compensate for a bad story.
(d) Gestures are more important than dialogue.

Short Answer Questions

1. Aristotle explains that a sign is one of four types of recognition. What is an example of recognition occurring through the use of a sign?

2. When an evil character of a tragic story is suddenly thrust into misfortune, it has been said that this satisfies the moral sense of the audience, but Aristotle asserts that the misfortune does not inspire what?

3. Aristotle says that an action that is failed to be performed in a tragedy by the person who is aware of the circumstances is what?

4. Into how many parts does Aristotle say a language can be divided?

5. Aristotle explains that the complication accomplishes what?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 707 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample