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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Socrates suggest happiness and well-being can be assured?
(a) If people become immortal.
(b) If people are properly fed.
(c) If injustice is prevented.
(d) If families stick together.

2. Why does Socrates ask to be corrected and criticized?
(a) So he may improve.
(b) So he can condescend to them.
(c) So he does not feel guilty about monopolizing the conversation.
(d) So he can challenge them back.

3. Socrates believes to learn rhetoric, what must one also learn?
(a) Justice.
(b) Vocabulary.
(c) Art.
(d) Medicine.

4. What challenge is Gorgias being faced with?
(a) Having to convince a great philosopher.
(b) Keeping business and personal matters separate.
(c) Convincing the men to follow a religion.
(d) Responding to anything that is asked.

5. What kind of a result does Socrates believe any action taken must intend to elicit?
(a) A short-term benefit.
(b) An insignificant result.
(c) A good result.
(d) A self-indulgent result.

6. How does Gorgias say one should use power?
(a) Power should be used ethically.
(b) Power should be used to conquer others.
(c) Power should be evenly distributed.
(d) Power should benefit the beholder.

7. According to Socrates, who are the second happiest people?
(a) Those who are healthy.
(b) Those who get married.
(c) Those who only briefly suffer.
(d) Those who deliver others from evil.

8. What does Socrates believe rhetoricians and Sophists are confused with?
(a) Their art.
(b) Their objective.
(c) Justice.
(d) Society.

9. Why does Socrates regard Polus' responses as useless?
(a) Because Polus is uneducated.
(b) Because he uses elevated vocabulary.
(c) Because he cannot comprehend him.
(d) Because they are long speeches.

10. Who does Socrates believe power is beneficial to?
(a) The one with power.
(b) Criminals.
(c) The people.
(d) Youth.

11. What does Gorgias claim is the basis for all arts and sciences?
(a) Rhetoric.
(b) Creativity.
(c) Beliefs.
(d) Knowledge.

12. What does Gorgias believe rhetoric can be used for?
(a) Persuading authorities.
(b) Gaining sympathy.
(c) Curing disease.
(d) Getting out of trouble.

13. What does Socrates believe he can avoid in being corrected?
(a) Continuing.
(b) Harm.
(c) Disgrace.
(d) Judgment.

14. What does Socrates say a rhetorician must have to persuade a physician?
(a) Courage.
(b) Knowledge.
(c) Support.
(d) Good looks.

15. What are Socrates' criteria in analyzing sciences?
(a) Based on their fidelity to tradition.
(b) Based on their benefit to humans.
(c) Based on their creative angle.
(d) Based on their organized presentation.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Socrates believe the consequences of an ugly action should be measured by?

2. What is Polus meant to be an example of?

3. The discussion of rhetoric raises matters of moral, philosophical, and what type of concern?

4. While acknowledging punishment is a negative action, Socrates regards it as what?

5. What subjects does Socrates specify rhetoricians have the ability to speak about?

(see the answer keys)

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