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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 do experts have to do with laws?
(a) Experts are called upon to evaluate laws.
(b) Law is derived from expertise.
(c) Only experts are able to tell when the law is broken.
(d) Universal laws of wisdom are the exclusive domain of the expert.

2. Which of the following is NOT one of the character traits of Socrates in The Clouds?
(a) Iconoclastic.
(b) Immoral.
(c) Pious.
(d) Deceitful.

3. Why does law have authority?
(a) Citizens have an interdependence on laws, and so give them authority.
(b) Laws are inherently just.
(c) Laws are inherently good.
(d) Laws have authority because of the threat of violent punishment.

4. To Socrates, what would illegally breaking out of prison constitute?
(a) Piety.
(b) Retaliation.
(c) The rule of law.
(d) Justice.

5. How does Socrates' respond to Crito's worry over Socrates' reputation?
(a) Socrates shares Crito's concern.
(b) Socrates pleads with Crito to restore his legacy.
(c) Socrates actually wants his reputation to be as bad as possible.
(d) Regardless of reputation, he must obey the law.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Crito think Socrates displayed during his trial?

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

3. At what point does Strepsiades stop speaking to Pheidippides?

4. Aristophanes is known for using what kind of rhetoric?

5. How does Socrates end the Crito dialogue?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Socrates' response to Crito when Crito worries about Socrates' reputation?

2. What is Crito's opinion of Socrates, following his trial?

3. How does Aristophanes' general attitude towards Socrates differ from that of Plato's?

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

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

6. How can Aristophanes' characterization of Socrates be summed up?

7. What is the nature of the fight Strepsiades and Pheidippides have when Strepsiades throws a party for his son?

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

9. How does Pheidippides enter the Thinkery? What does he learn there?

10. What are the consequences of breaking the law?

(see the answer keys)

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