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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Letters CXIV, CXXII, and CXXIII.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do people who attend the celebration discussed in Letter XVII do?
(a) Feast and get drunk.
(b) Praise Seneca.
(c) Discuss town issues.
(d) Watch acrobats and clowns.

2. What purpose does fasting serve, according to Seneca?
(a) To prove a point to the public.
(b) To be able to drink more.
(c) To ward off gluttony.
(d) To shed some excess pounds.

3. What does Scipio volunteer to do?
(a) Go into exile.
(b) Help teach Seneca.
(c) Kill Seneca.
(d) Care for the ailing Seneca.

4. Seneca says though one may suffer more or less in life, the suffering is surrounded by what on either side?
(a) Nothingness.
(b) Deep tranquility.
(c) Somewhat peaceful rest.
(d) Unknown pain.

5. What does Seneca say the gods give man the capacity for?
(a) Philosophy.
(b) Love.
(c) Life.
(d) Scientific study.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Seneca in Letter XXXIII, what does Stoic writing generally lack?

2. According to Seneca, if one begins taking lessons other than philosophy, what happens?

3. According to Seneca, where are the sharpest pains?

4. Who does Seneca thank for sending him a book?

5. How should Lucilius approach people who try to justify social customs?

(see the answer key)

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