View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the advantage of taking sides when both warring factions are weaker than the prince?
(a) He could become a prisoner if he does not.
(b) He will get money from the side he chooses.
(c) He can take over both principalities after the war is over.
(d) He eliminates one and gains the obligation of the other.

2. Who does Machiavelli cite as an example of generosity that ended badly?
(a) Marc Anthony.
(b) Julius Caesar.
(c) Alexander the Great.
(d) Moses.

3. What is a constant threat to any prince?
(a) Loss of income.
(b) Assassination.
(c) Invasion.
(d) Unpopularity.

4. What does the wise prince do to maintain the loyalty of the people?
(a) Plays with the people and leaves the government up to someone else.
(b) Exasperates the nobles and therefore pleases the people.
(c) Does both popular and unpopular actions always in a fair manner.
(d) Perfroms the popular acts himself and delegates unpopular actions to someone else.

5. What does Machiavelli say is the only art expected of a prince?
(a) The art of fine living.
(b) The art of war.
(c) The art of diplomacy.
(d) The art of collecting.

6. Which examples does Machiavelli use to support the idea of not being overly generous?
(a) The King of Spain and the King of France.
(b) King Midas and King Darius.
(c) Moses and the Duke of Milan.
(d) King Saul and Ramses the Great.

7. How will a prince often be judged by others?
(a) By the size of his palace.
(b) By the behavior of his ministers.
(c) By the number of sons he has.
(d) By the family he marries into.

8. When rule by law is ineffective, what does Machiavelli advise the prince to use?
(a) Popularity.
(b) Great honesty.
(c) Diplomacy..
(d) Force.

9. What does Machiavelli suggest is the best fortress for a prince?
(a) Favorable public opinion.
(b) A palace surrounded by a wide moat.
(c) Military barracks surrounding his palace.
(d) A palace in the center of the city.

10. Why does Machiavelli argue against a prince being overly generous?
(a) By being generous the people love him excessively.
(b) His generosity includes being able to pay his military high wages.
(c) To support his generosity, the prince must tax his subjects heavily.
(d) By being generous, he avoids beeing seen as a miser.

11. Although Machiavelli says that Pope Julius II was impetuous in all he did, still he succeeded. Why?
(a) His actions fit the times.
(b) He relied on God to keep him safe.
(c) Fate caused many changes during his time.
(d) Because of his successes, he always looked for new ways of doing things.

12. What is the first test of a new prince as a judge?
(a) The number of executions he orders at the beginning of his reign.
(b) The amount of public aid he offers the people.
(c) The wisdom and ability of the ministers he chooses to help him.
(d) Firing his military leaders and putting them into prison.

13. Why does Machiavelli insist that a prince need not always be honest?
(a) Because he cannot remember everything he said in the past.
(b) Because men are not basically good by nature.
(c) Because he needs to change the circumstances.
(d) Because an honest prince cannot be cruel at the same time.

14. How can honesty in other people cause the prince to lose respect?
(a) When the prince never believes anything he hears.
(b) When the honesty is really only half truths.
(c) When people are not afraid of offending the prince by what they say.
(d) When their honesty is not recognized for what it is.

15. Why should a new prince not disarm his people?
(a) Disarmed people cannot protect their prince.
(b) It shows that he either distrusts the people or fears them.
(c) Having arms is a basic human right.
(d) It gives the people added duties and importance.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Machiavelli's ultimate example of the correct use of cruelty?

2. What does Machiavelli say the King of Naples and the Duke of Milan had in common?

3. Why does Machiavelli say that the sultans of Turkey and Egypt had to listen more to the military than to the people?

4. What historical example does Machiavelli give to show how a military should be organized?

5. What response does a prince receive if he is seen as fickle, effeminate, cowardly, frivolous, or irresolute?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 773 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample