Question

44.
which statement best explains jocasta’s reaction when she realizes who oedipus is?
a. she fears oedipus will overthrow her rule.
b. she is ashamed that she did not raise him herself.
c. she understands that the prophecy has been fulfilled.
d. she wants oedipus to become king without distraction.

45.
which event most directly leads to oedipus discovering the truth about his parents?
a. solving the sphinx’s riddle
b. the messenger revealing that oedipus was adopted
c. the servant abandoning the child on the mountain
d. the death of king laius

46.
what is the most likely reason the thebans did not recognize oedipus as laius’s son
a. the prophecy prevented them from learning the truth.
b. oedipus had been raised in another kingdom.
c. laius had described his son as much older.
d. the herdsman spread false information about him.

47.
which theme is best supported by oedipus’s attempt to avoid the prophecy?
a. humans can outsmart fate through determination.
b. attempts to escape destiny may actually ensure it happens.
c. leadership is earned through overcoming adversity.
d. violence is the only solution to solving complex problems.

48.
why does the author include details about the sphinx’s riddle?
a. to show that oedipus was naturally suspicious of riddles
b. to illustrate oedipus’s intelligence and worthiness as king
c. to compare oedipus to other greek heroes
d. to foreshadow oedipus’s later blindness

Explanation:

Question 44

In "Oedipus Rex", when Jocasta realizes Oedipus's identity, she understands the prophecy (that Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother) has been fulfilled. Option A is incorrect as there's no fear of overthrow. Option B is wrong as shame about not raising him isn't the reason. Option D is irrelevant to her reaction. So C is correct.

The messenger revealing Oedipus was adopted directly leads him to question his parentage and discover the truth. Solving the Sphinx’s riddle (A) made him king but not the truth. The servant abandoning the child (C) was in the past. King Laius’s death (D) started the investigation but not the direct reveal of parentage. So B is correct.

Oedipus was raised in another kingdom (Corinth), so Thebans didn't know him as Laius’s son. The prophecy (A) didn't prevent recognition. Laius’s description (C) and the herdsman’s false info (D) aren't supported by the text. So B is correct.

Answer:

C. She understands that the prophecy has been fulfilled.

Question 45