View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. While acknowledging punishment is a negative action, Socrates regards it as what?
(a) Insignificant.
(b) Positive.
(c) Negative.
(d) Excessive.

2. Who does Socrates see professions influencing?
(a) Those that depend on them.
(b) Those that practice them.
(c) Politicians.
(d) Lay-people.

3. Socrates regards flattery is the main point used on what area?
(a) Politics.
(b) Sales.
(c) Romance.
(d) Education.

4. What does Gorgias distinguish as the difference between acquiring knowledge and acquiring a belief?
(a) Knowledge is more available in society.
(b) A belief can be acquired without certainty.
(c) A belief is more subjective than knowledge.
(d) A belief is more available in society.

5. What does the discussion of rhetoric between Gorgias and Socrates turn into?
(a) Argument.
(b) Sentimental rant.
(c) Comedic exchange.
(d) Nostalgic exchange.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Socrates regard as the most damaging to one's soul?

2. How does rhetoric benefit politicians in Gorgias' musings on politics?

3. What does Socrates believe makes punishment beneficial?

4. What is the benefit of rhetoric in Gorgias' example of medicine?

5. What does Socrates believe people with too much freedom become?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Socrates favor Gorgias' answers more than Polus'?

2. How does Gorgias see rhetoric aiding to the common good of humans?

3. When an unjust act is committed, Socrates asks whether the wrongdoer or the sufferer is more wretched. Why?

4. How have we seen rhetoric successfully executed in the conversation in Chapter 1?

5. How does Polus embody the negative sides of freedom as Socrates has discussed?

6. In Socrates' opinion, why is distinction crucial to individuals and professions?

7. In Socrates' opinion, what is the effect of someone with great power who has little common sense?

8. Is Polus' claim that even unjust people like Archelaus are happy correct or incorrect? Why?

9. How does Gorgias see rhetoric as a bridge between art and science?

10. What are the similarities and differences between learning and acquiring a belief?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 864 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample