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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Socrates object to the notion that piety is a system of exchange between gods and men?
(a) There is no delivery system in place for the exchange.
(b) Men can never offer the one thing the gods truly crave: mortality.
(c) The "currency" between gods and men does not translate well.
(d) Gods could not possibly need anything from humans.

2. What is the subject of Plato's Apology?
(a) A day of Socrates teaching at his school.
(b) Socrates' execution.
(c) Socrates' trial.
(d) Socrates' definition of piety.

3. What is the "good life" as defined by Athens law, according to Plato's Apology?
(a) Obeying rules created by gods.
(b) Eating, drinking, and being merry.
(c) Constant accumulation of knowledge.
(d) Actively seeking meaning in one's life.

4. What is Euthyphro's second definition of piety?
(a) Piety is behaving honorably despite ill fortune.
(b) Piety is fearing own's own mortality.
(c) Piety is preparing oneself for great rewards.
(d) Piety is engaging in skillful service on behalf of the gods.

5. Which god does Euthyphro admire above all others?
(a) Hera.
(b) Apollo.
(c) Hephaestus.
(d) Zeus.

6. What did the oracle at Delphi tell Socrates?
(a) He is the wisest of all men.
(b) He will die as a result of his trial.
(c) He is the most ignorant of all men.
(d) He is extremely handsome.

7. Who is Socrates' prosecutor in his trial?
(a) Crito.
(b) Meletus.
(c) Kronos.
(d) Euthyphro.

8. What sentence does Socrates' friends beg for him to choose?
(a) One year of community service.
(b) A fine.
(c) Death by beheading, as it is the quickest way.
(d) Imprisonment of one year.

9. Which is the first of three Socratic dialogues written by Plato?
(a) Apology.
(b) Euthyphro.
(c) Crito.
(d) The Clouds.

10. What does Socrates believe is the central question of life?
(a) How should one live one's life?
(b) What is it all for?
(c) What is the meaning of piety?
(d) How does one acquire knowledge?

11. Why didn't Socrates bring his family to court?
(a) He did not want to garner pity.
(b) He did not want to look at his children and cry.
(c) He thought the jury would hate him for the gesture.
(d) He did not want to pay for the extra lodging costs.

12. The Euthyphro is known as what kind of writing?
(a) Play.
(b) Autobiography.
(c) Dialogue.
(d) Novel.

13. Where does Apology take place?
(a) Rome.
(b) Egypt.
(c) Athens.
(d) Sparta.

14. What does Socrates say about the accusation that he is engaged in scientific pursuits?
(a) He denies being engaged in any such pursuits.
(b) He admits to being a lover of science, dealing his defense another blow.
(c) He admits to pursuing science, but argues that science and religion are one and the same.
(d) He studied science only as a naive child of seven.

15. At the end of Euthyphro, what does Socrates' "god" tell him?
(a) He is the wisest of men in another part of his life.
(b) He should not have treated Euthyphro so harshly.
(c) He will die at dawn the next day.
(d) Athens will be destroyed in a great flood some day.

Short Answer Questions

1. What sentence does Socrates suggest for himself?

2. What is prophecy?

3. Why is Socrates put on trial?

4. What does Socrates discover when he speaks with and interviews "wise men"?

5. Which is the second of three Socratic dialogues written by Plato?

(see the answer keys)

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