View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which philosopher does Seneca quote in Letter II despite the fact that he does not particularly like him?
(a) Zeno.
(b) Epicurus.
(c) Plato.
(d) Aristotle.

2. How does one perfect his own soul, according to Seneca?
(a) By writing letters daily.
(b) By having faith in no more than three gods.
(c) By getting plenty of sleep.
(d) By living according to his rational nature.

3. What kind of people does Seneca warn Lucilius to steer clear of in Letter XLVIII?
(a) Quibblers.
(b) Wealthy rulers.
(c) Drunken people.
(d) Slaves.

4. What does Seneca encourage in Letter VI?
(a) Living in Rome.
(b) Lucilius come to live with him.
(c) Suicide among the elderly.
(d) Contributions to poor slaves.

5. Which philosopher believes the idea of "cheerful poverty" is absurd?
(a) Epicurius.
(b) Seneca.
(c) Plato.
(d) Aristotle.

6. What does Lucilius ask Seneca to include in his letters?
(a) Investment information.
(b) A poem to read to his friend.
(c) Stoic aphorisms.
(d) An autograph.

7. In Letter XII, what does Seneca's property remind him?
(a) That he is aging.
(b) That he needs to find new tenants.
(c) To rebuild closer to water.
(d) To be clearer in his next lease.

8. What kinds of noises are more distracting, according to Senenca?
(a) Musical noises.
(b) Intermittent noises.
(c) Continuous noises.
(d) Noises of crickets.

9. What does Seneca say about slaves?
(a) Don't get too close to them emotionally.
(b) Not to pity them.
(c) Use them for the hardest work.
(d) They are people too.

10. What is the topic of Letter III?
(a) Friendship.
(b) Greed.
(c) Investing.
(d) Money.

11. What is the characteristic of Lucilius' friend that Seneca does not hold against him?
(a) He blushes.
(b) He is overweight.
(c) He drinks too much.
(d) He speaks too quickly.

12. Who finances the celebration that is held at the time Letter XVII is written?
(a) Local businesses.
(b) The state.
(c) Seneca.
(d) A traveling carnival.

13. What is an example of unrehearsed communication?
(a) Letter writing.
(b) Music.
(c) A speech.
(d) Public oratory.

14. What does Seneca say is the worst noise of all?
(a) Insects.
(b) Crashes.
(c) Voices.
(d) Music.

15. Who spends hours quibbling over meaningless logical puzzles, according to Seneca?
(a) Seneca.
(b) Seneca and Lucilius together.
(c) Lucilius.
(d) Many so-called philosophers.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what kind of atmosphere does Seneca say in Lesson VLI that he prefers to study?

2. What does Seneca say about the Stoic troubled by no external concerns?

3. What does Seneca say many slave-owners foolishly think?

4. Who does Seneca praise in Letter XI?

5. What kind of ailments does Seneca say become more obvious as they worsen?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 454 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample