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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why don't most words refer to simple ideas, in Locke's account?
(a) Locke says that simple ideas are too pervasive.
(b) Locke says that most words are general.
(c) Locke says that most simple ideas are too unspecific.
(d) Locke says that there is too little room for interpretation in simple ideas.

2. What can we talk about once we begin to abstract?
(a) Essences of things.
(b) The context for things.
(c) Particular things.
(d) Things in general.

3. Where does Locke say we see the origin of our idea of number?
(a) Grains of sand.
(b) Our bodies and minds.
(c) Trees in a forest.
(d) Flocks of geese.

4. What would happen if words referred to particular things, in Locke's opinion?
(a) No one would know that classes of things existed.
(b) Everyone would need to be an even larger language for classes of things.
(c) No one would understand each other's vocabulary.
(d) There would have to be a word for each thing.

5. What does Locke say is the purpose of language?
(a) Communication.
(b) Conflict resolution.
(c) Prayer.
(d) Diplomacy.

6. What does Locke say desires have in common?
(a) A motivating force to alleviate discomfort.
(b) Unhappiness as a result.
(c) The ability to mitigate unease.
(d) Ineffability.

7. What does Locke's illustration show?
(a) That a man can be deceived about his relation with other men.
(b) That a man can be clear in will but unfree in action.
(c) That hell is other people.
(d) That fate wears a human face.

8. What are people who believe in human freedom called?
(a) Libertarians.
(b) Relativists.
(c) Determinists.
(d) Fatalists.

9. What does Locke say we about words that cannot be defined any further?
(a) They are simple ideas.
(b) They are essential ideas.
(c) They are general words.
(d) They are complex ideas.

10. What does Locke describe as an abuse of words?
(a) Using words to insult people.
(b) Using words incorrectly deliberately.
(c) Using words without clear meaning.
(d) Inventing meanings for words.

11. What is a power, according to Locke?
(a) Something that moves things in natural cycles.
(b) Something that acts as fate for people.
(c) Something that liberates people from fate.
(d) Something that can make a change in the world.

12. What defines a civil word, according to Locke?
(a) Words used in politics.
(b) Words used in diplomacy.
(c) Words used in everyday communication.
(d) Words used in court.

13. What does Locke say is ultimately grounded in pleasure and pain?
(a) Morality.
(b) Knowledge.
(c) Faith.
(d) Aesthetics.

14. Where do pleasure and pain come from, according to Locke?
(a) Sensation.
(b) The mind.
(c) God.
(d) History.

15. In what way was Locke's perspective unique in the debate between free will and fate?
(a) He advocated experiments in free will.
(b) He demonstrated the inevitability of free choice.
(c) He proposed a third position.
(d) He proposed different ways to tempt fate.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Locke say is a philosopher's primary method, in Locke's account?

2. What are all words generated by, in Locke's account?

3. Which grammatical particle does Locke examine in detail?

4. How does Locke resolve the contradiction between people who believe in free will and people who do not?

5. What does Locke say the increase of our intellectual powers follows?

(see the answer keys)

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