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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Pheidippides justify his violent action toward Strepsiades?
(a) He had no reason; he just did it for fun.
(b) The wise should make the foolish suffer to improve them.
(c) He claims he did it only accidentally.
(d) Strepsiades mocked Pheidippides' mother, and Strepsiades deserved it.

2. What do citizens depend upon for their ability to achieve excellence?
(a) Laws.
(b) Reputation.
(c) Political power.
(d) Wisdom.

3. Why does Strepsiades seek out Socrates?
(a) To teach him how to be a better lover.
(b) To find sanctuary from his pursuers.
(c) To teach him how to be a better speaker.
(d) Because Socrates owes him money.

4. What decision is Socrates faced with at the beginning of Crito?
(a) Whether to beg for his life, or suffer a more noble death.
(b) Whether to escape Athens with Crito's help, or suffer a life in prison.
(c) Whether to give up the location of his students, or suffer torture.
(d) Whether to escape Athens with Crito's help, or face the death sentence.

5. Aristophanes' portrayal of Socrates would most closely match whose perception of Socrates?
(a) Plato.
(b) The average citizen of Athens.
(c) Crito.
(d) Aristotle.

6. What would happen if Socrates fled to a city that was well-governed?
(a) He could plot his revenge.
(b) He would finally get justice.
(c) He could live a life free from political ambition.
(d) He would be a law-breaker, and suffer from the same bad reputation.

7. Citizens could not be good individuals without what?
(a) Laws.
(b) Happiness.
(c) Science.
(d) Religion.

8. Who is the first person to accuse Socrates of corrupting the youth?
(a) Plato.
(b) Euthyphro.
(c) Aristophanes.
(d) Meletus.

9. Where does Crito take place?
(a) In Socrates' school.
(b) In prison.
(c) At Plato's home.
(d) In Crito's study.

10. Which of the following terms best describes Pheidippides?
(a) Conservative.
(b) Self-indulgent.
(c) Pious.
(d) Generous.

11. Socrates argues that, since Crito cares about public opinion, he must care about ... ?
(a) The iron hand of justice.
(b) The plight of the poor.
(c) The bitter fruit of irony.
(d) The authority of the law.

12. Aristophanes is from which city?
(a) Rome.
(b) Attica.
(c) Athens.
(d) Alexandria.

13. Why doesn't Socrates try to argue about the principles of his philosophy with Crito?
(a) Socrates never talks philosophy with friends, only students.
(b) Crito would be unsympathetic to such an argument.
(c) Socrates is weary of all talk.
(d) Crito is not intelligent enough for such an argument.

14. What relationship is Crito to Socrates?
(a) Friend.
(b) Legal counsel.
(c) Student.
(d) Detractor.

15. What stance does Strepsiades ultimately take in regards to Socrates' teachings?
(a) He rejects the teachings completely.
(b) He embraces them and starts his own school.
(c) He puts them to good use and becomes a lawyer.
(d) He rejects them, but is always bothered by what might have been.

Short Answer Questions

1. In The Clouds, why does Socrates reject tradition?

2. When is an expert undermined?

3. Why has Strepsiades run into financial difficulties?

4. What does Socrates try to teach Strepsiades?

5. Strepsiades' ultimate fear about Pheidippides revolves around which taboo?

(see the answer keys)

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