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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. What is Aristophanes' general attitude toward Socrates?
(a) Admiring.
(b) Friendly.
(c) Mocking.
(d) Indifferent.

2. On which point in Crito does Socrates differ markedly from his position in Apology?
(a) On the importance of reputation.
(b) On what it is to be a just law.
(c) On the certainty of his wisdom.
(d) On the strength of his piety.

3. At the end of Clouds, what does Strepsiades believe about Zeus?
(a) Zeus does not exist.
(b) Zeus is important in holding the community together.
(c) Zeus exists to destroy and ruin human lives.
(d) Zeus exists, but does not meddle in the affairs of man.

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

5. What is the origin of the title The Clouds?
(a) Socrates believes that rain is the cause of human suffering.
(b) The Clouds is used as a metaphor to anything which blinds us in life.
(c) Socrates believes that Zeus lives on a cloud.
(d) Socrates claims that the only gods are the clouds.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why has Strepsiades run into financial difficulties?

2. Which is one of the popular theories for why Socrates advanced a lackluster defense at his trial?

3. According to Socrates, why should experts be obeyed?

4. Where does Crito take place?

5. Which is NOT one of the benefits of law, according to Socrates in Crito?

Short Essay Questions

1. What represents the "last straw" in Strepsiades' relationship with his son? Why does he refuse to speak to him in the end?

2. What violent action does Pheidippides visit upon his father? How does Pheidippides justify his action?

3. How does Strepsiades react to Socrates' course of study in the Thinkery? How does Socrates in turn respond to Strepsiades?

4. What is Socrates' attitude toward his impending death at the end of Crito?

5. Who is Strepsiades? Why does he enter Socrates' Thinkery?

6. Socrates claims that laws result in what benefits to society?

7. What are the consequences of breaking the law?

8. What is the nature of Strepsiades' most pressing problem? What does he hope to learn from Socrates? What does Socrates in turn teach him?

9. Why did Socrates offer such a meek defense and go to prison and his death so willingly?

10. What reasons does Socrates give for deciding to remain in Athens, rather than escape with Crito?

(see the answer keys)

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