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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Socrates have a low regard for Sophists?
(a) They are not concerned with justice.
(b) They have little influence.
(c) They are too afraid of knowledge.
(d) They actively harm.

2. How does Socrates regard just actions?
(a) As ancient.
(b) As beautiful.
(c) As philosophical.
(d) As modern.

3. What does Gorgias claim rhetoric is not intended to do?
(a) Achieve advantages.
(b) Be used.
(c) Influence the masses.
(d) Impart knowledge.

4. Gorgias describes bad rhetoric as delivering a response in what way?
(a) Randomly.
(b) Precisely.
(c) Somberly.
(d) Delightfully.

5. Why does Socrates ask to be corrected and criticized?
(a) So he may improve.
(b) So he does not feel guilty about monopolizing the conversation.
(c) So he can condescend to them.
(d) So he can challenge them back.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Socrates, what do politics preside over?

2. How does Socrates suggest happiness and well-being can be assured?

3. What does Socrates believe makes punishment beneficial?

4. According to Socrates, what is the key ingredient in determining who a person becomes?

5. What does Gorgias intend to use rhetoric for?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is it that one can suffer justly or unjustly? What makes the difference in Socrates' opinion?

2. How is Socrates able to gain insight into rhetoric?

3. In Socrates' opinion, what is the effect of someone with great power who has little common sense?

4. Why can the art of rhetoric not impart knowledge, according to Gorgias?

5. Why does Socrates compare medicine and gymnastics to legislation and justice?

6. In Socrates' opinion, why do rhetoricians and Sophists find it difficult to define themselves?

7. How have we seen rhetoric successfully executed in the conversation in Chapter 1?

8. What are the similarities and differences between learning and acquiring a belief?

9. How does Gorgias see rhetoric as a means for great power?

10. How does Polus embody the negative sides of freedom as Socrates has discussed?

(see the answer keys)

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