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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 is an oligarchy?
(a) Rule by the elite.
(b) Rule by the poor.
(c) Rule by the military.
(d) Rule by the rich.

2. Why would candidates for a philosopher-king class in the republic be tested?
(a) To enjoy a life of task and reward.
(b) To prove that they are stronger than their adversaries.
(c) To show that they have no skeletons in their closets.
(d) To ensure that they can endure different types of intellectual life.

3. When he first address the jury, Socrates_________.
(a) Vehemently denies the accusations against him.
(b) Says he will not fight the slander of others with slander.
(c) Asks a lot of questions.
(d) Excuses himself for speaking in common language familiar to him.

4. The evil of the soul, explained in Book X by Socrates, is ___________.
(a) Dishonesty.
(b) Treason.
(c) Injustice.
(d) Fire.

5. Socrates believes that unjust men_________.
(a) Will be punished in death.
(b) Don't deserve death and should have to live forever.
(c) Will not necessarily be punished in death.
(d) Will be rewarded by the unjust gods.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Crito take place?

2. In Book IX, the democratic man is described by Socrates as one who_________.

3. According to Socrates' opinion, what does the common man's simple mind cause him to mistake?

4. In Book VII Socrates weaves an analogy suggesting that the common man is like________.

5. From Socrates' point of view, the philosopher is __________ than the tyrant.

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the five tell-tale traits of an aspiring philosopher, according to Socrates?

2. Describe Crito's and Socrates' relationship. Why is this important to the dialogue?

3. How does Socrates argue that it is unlawful to break out of prison?

4. Why does Socrates say in Book VII that "philosophers don't want to rule"?

5. Why does Socrates think that aspiring philosophers should be instructed in dialectic only at the end of their educations?

6. Why is democracy dangerous, according to Socrates?

7. What objection does Cebes raise about Socrates view on death?

8. What should be done about the poets, according to Socrates in Book X?

9. How can tyranny arise in a democratic state?

10. Why does Socrates think philosophers make the best rulers?

(see the answer keys)

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