View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Aristophanes' portrayal of Socrates would most closely match whose perception of Socrates?

2. In The Clouds, what does Socrates feel about Zeus?

3. What is Socrates illustrating with his choice to stay in Athens rather than flee?

4. Which is NOT one of the consequences of breaking a law according to Socrates?

5. How would Aristophanes characterize the religious belief of Socrates?

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

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

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

5. Given Crito's criticism of Socrates, what segment of society can Crito be said to represent?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Crito, Socrates offers an argument for why he should obey the law.

1) In Socrates' view, what gives law authority?

2) What are the negative consequences of law breaking?

3) Why must experts be relied upon, and how do they relate to laws and obeying of those laws?

Essay Topic 2

In Apology, Socrates makes it a point to discuss oratorical skills.

1) How does Socrates characterize his own oratorical skills? How does he characterize the oratorical skills of his accusers?

2) Why is Socrates' speech style both a boon and a hindrance, according to him?

3) How does Socrates relate his speech style to a large comment on the philosopher's place in society? Why does a philosopher's speech create antagonism within a society?

Essay Topic 3

Socrates offers a series of defenses in the Apology to answer the charges against him.

1) How does Socrates answer the charge that he has corrupted the youth of Athens?

2) How does Socrates use his political ambition (or lack thereof) in his trial defense?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 881 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample