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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 Socrates' interlocutors object to in the beginning of Book V?
(a) All children and women should be shared (and raised) in common.
(b) They do not give Socrates any objections until later in the dialogue.
(c) All property would be owned by a family.
(d) Children must be born on the 7th of the month.

2. In Book V, Socrates admits which of the following about his republic?
(a) He hopes his city is built, just not in his lifetime.
(b) Many people would have to be brainwashed before they would live in such a city.
(c) Though theoretically sound, such a city might not be actually possible.
(d) His city will rule the world.

3. What does Socrates tell Ion about a person who can recite poetry well?
(a) Memorizing poetry is a way of balancing the soul.
(b) Only a person who understands a poem's meaning could be a good reciter.
(c) Ion should memorize philosophy instead of poetry.
(d) Ion must not know the meaning of poetry if he just memorizes it.

4. According to Socrates, the goal of his ideal city is__________________.
(a) To make a well-organized, perfect society.
(b) To ensure the happiness of a particular class.
(c) To find perfect knowledge.
(d) To conquer the world.

5. According to Socrates, woman can____________.
(a) Reach heaven more quickly than men.
(b) Offer proof of the immortal soul.
(c) Hold any job than men can hold.
(d) Lead the republic.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Thrasymachus first define justice?

2. To which other creative art does Socrates propose censorship?

3. Which of the following does Socrates reason about poetry?

4. Socrates intends his imagined city to be taken as a symbolic model for__________.

5. In the dialogue, Meno blames the confusion in his speech on which of the following?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the best way, according to Socrates, that people not be given false impressions about the gods?

2. What is the crucial difference, according to Socrates, between the common man and the philosopher?

3. How is Meno an example of indirect teaching? How does Plato corroborate his own theory of learning as recollection?

4. What is Socrates ultimate conclusion about the function of justice?

5. How does Socrates plan to prevent the rulers from becoming tyrants?

6. How does Socrates use metaphors to explain Ion's inspiration? How does this relate to the practice of art or philosophy?

7. Explain Plato's theory of knowledge as recollection.

8. Why aren't the soldiers in Socrates' republic well compensated?

9. Whom does Socrates think is to be chosen to rule the city and why?

10. Explain the irony of the following statement as it relates to Ion: "Plato is the supreme enemy of art and is also the supreme artist."

(see the answer keys)

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