Skip to content

THE ODYSSEY • QUIZ

The Odyssey - Books 21-24 Quiz

A ready-to-use 10-question reading quiz covering Books 21-24 of Homer's Odyssey, including the bow contest, the defeat of the suitors, Penelope's recognition of Odysseus, Laertes, and the final restoration of peace in Ithaca. Includes a free printable student PDF for classroom use.

By Richer Resources Editorial Team

 
Name: ____________________________________________     Date: ____________________ 

Directions: Choose the best answer for each question. Each question is worth 1 point. Total: 10 points. 


1. What must a suitor do to win Penelope's contest in Book 21?
 

A. Defeat Telemachus in a wrestling match 
B. String Odysseus's bow and shoot an arrow through all twelve axes 
C. Throw a spear through twelve bronze rings 
D. Identify Odysseus's bow among several weapons 

2. What happens when Telemachus tries to string Odysseus's bow?
 

A. He cannot bend the bow at all and immediately gives up. 
B. He strings it on his first attempt but cannot shoot through the axes. 
C. He nearly succeeds on his fourth attempt, but Odysseus signals him to stop. 
D. He breaks the bow while trying to bend it. 

3. Before Eumaeus hands Odysseus the bow, to which two loyal servants does Odysseus reveal his identity?
 

A. Eumaeus and Philoetius 
B. Eurycleia and Melantho 
C. Medon and Phemius 
D. Melanthius and Dolius 

4. What does Odysseus do after he receives his bow at the end of Book 21?
 

A. He hides it and waits until the next morning to act. 
B. He gives it to Telemachus to complete the contest. 
C. He strings it and shoots an arrow through the axe heads. 
D. He breaks it so none of the suitors can use it. 

5. Who is the first suitor Odysseus kills when the fighting begins in Book 22?
 

A. Antinous 
B. Eurymachus 
C. Amphinomus 
D. Leiodes 

6. How does Melanthius help the suitors during the battle in the palace?
 

A. He opens the courtyard gate so they can escape. 
B. He brings armor and weapons to them from the storeroom. 
C. He convinces Athena to stop helping Odysseus. 
D. He leads Penelope and the servants out of the palace. 

7. Why do Odysseus and his household arrange music and dancing after the suitors have been killed?
 

A. To celebrate Telemachus's return from Sparta 
B. To honor the dead suitors before their burial 
C. To make people outside think a wedding is taking place and delay news of the killings 
D. To persuade Penelope to come downstairs 

8. What secret about their marriage bed finally convinces Penelope that the man before her is truly Odysseus?
 

A. Odysseus knows the bed was carved from a living olive tree rooted in place. 
B. Odysseus knows a sword is hidden beneath the bed. 
C. Odysseus knows Penelope replaced the bed while he was away. 
D. Odysseus knows the bed was a wedding gift from Menelaus. 

9. What does Odysseus do when he first meets his father Laertes in Book 24?
 

A. He immediately tells Laertes everything that happened in the palace. 
B. He first tests Laertes with a false story before revealing his identity. 
C. He asks Telemachus to reveal his identity for him. 
D. He remains disguised and never tells Laertes who he is. 

10. How is the final conflict between Odysseus's supporters and the Ithacans brought to an end?
 

A. Menelaus arrives with an army and orders both sides to stop. 
B. Odysseus defeats every remaining opponent in single combat. 
C. Penelope addresses the Ithacans and persuades them to leave. 
D. Athena stops the fighting, and a lasting treaty is established between the two sides. 


Free Printable PDF 

Teachers may download a free, print-ready student PDF of this quiz for classroom use. The downloadable version includes space for a name and date and does not include the answer key. 

Downloads

Teacher Answer Key

Available free to educators by email.

More from the Reference Library

You may also be interested in…

THE ODYSSEY • QUIZ

The Odyssey - Books 13-16 Quiz

A ready-to-use 10-question reading quiz covering Books 13-16 of Homer's Odyssey, including Odysseus's return to Ithaca, Eumaeus, Telemachus's homecoming, the suitors' ambush, and the reunion of Odysseus and Telemachus. Includes a free printable student PDF for classroom use.

Read resource →

THE ODYSSEY • QUIZ

The Odyssey - Books 17-20 Quiz

A ready-to-use 10-question reading quiz covering Books 17-20 of Homer's Odyssey, including Odysseus's return to the palace in disguise, the suitors, Penelope, Eurycleia's recognition, and the omens that foreshadow the suitors' fate. Includes a free printable student PDF for classroom use.

Read resource →