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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 Socrates' view on the nature of death, particularly his own?
(a) He hopes for perfect knowledge, but really claims to have no idea what will happen.
(b) He thinks death is a good thing, though one should not look forward to it.
(c) He does not believe in an afterlife.
(d) He thinks death a bad thing, but looks forward to it as a means of getting out of prison.

2. According to Socrates, what would be one way for philosopher-rule to commence?
(a) Assassination of the present emperor.
(b) If a philosopher's soul was born to the son of a king destined to inherit his father's position.
(c) If a philosopher raised an army and instigated a revolution.
(d) To convince the people through reasoning that philosophers make better leaders.

3. In Socrates' cross-examination of Meletus, how does he make Meletus contradict himself?
(a) By asking Meletus about his family.
(b) By showing that Meletus asserts that Socrates both believes in the gods and doesn't believe in them.
(c) By proving Meletus to be incapable of answering questions.
(d) Socrates does not make Meletus contradict himself.

4. Adeimantus interrupts Socrates in the beginning of Book VI to ask him ____________.
(a) When students get to become full-fledged philosophers.
(b) Whether philosophy is an activity or a profession.
(c) Why he wants philosophers to rule the city.
(d) Why philosophers are either useless or evil.

5. In the then-present Greece, Socrates believes that __________.
(a) There are very many true philosophers.
(b) The rise of a philosopher-king, though desirable, is an impossible scenario.
(c) Sophists fill the role of philosophers.
(d) There are very few true philosophers.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Wise souls, Socrates asserts, will always choose paths of_________.

3. Which subject should be taught last in Socrates' curriculum?

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

5. According to Socrates in Book VII, how many years must a philosopher work after finishing his education in order to become a ruler?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the tyrannical man the most miserable, according to Socrates?

2. Why does Socrates think that the forms of government are like forms in the human soul?

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

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

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

6. What does the cave metaphor mean?

7. How can tyranny arise in a democratic state?

8. Why does Socrates think that the philosopher is always the happiest man in the state?

9. Why does Socrates think it acceptable for the state to make philosophers rule if they are unwilling?

10. Why does Socrates think the Sophists are evil?

(see the answer keys)

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