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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who thinks they are the most virtuous people, according to Senenca?
(a) The most wicked people.
(b) Slave owners.
(c) Governmental leaders.
(d) Religious leaders.

2. Who is praised for his virtue and dedication to studies in Letter II?
(a) Seneca.
(b) Lucilius.
(c) Zeno.
(d) Plato.

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

4. What does Seneca recommend avoiding in Letter VII?
(a) People without shoes.
(b) Religious zealots.
(c) Prostitutes.
(d) The masses.

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

6. 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 be clearer in his next lease.
(d) To rebuild closer to water.

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

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

9. According to Seneca, who doesn't care if he is rich or poor?
(a) A Christian priest.
(b) A public official.
(c) A pagan priest.
(d) A philosopher.

10. How does noise affect Seneca's ability to study?
(a) He is very distracted by the smallest noise.
(b) He is very distracted by noise from crowds.
(c) It does not affect it at all.
(d) He has a hearing disability and is slightly distracted by a constant, steady hum.

11. Which of Lucilius' friends dies?
(a) Flaccus.
(b) Claudius.
(c) Tibius.
(d) Euripides.

12. Who advises that one ought to imagine being watched by some great, virtuous figure at all times in order to check one's own behavior?
(a) Epicurius.
(b) Plato.
(c) Aristotle.
(d) Seneca.

13. Why, according to Seneca, shouldn't old age frighten a wise man?
(a) Because he knows he will go to heaven.
(b) A wise man doesn't fear death.
(c) Because his mind is too far gone to be scared.
(d) Because old and wise go together.

14. In a large group of people, how might their vices seem, according to Seneca?
(a) Attractive.
(b) Deadly.
(c) Comical.
(d) Unappealing.

15. What is it that Seneca says no human being merits?
(a) Mental torture.
(b) A beating.
(c) Correction.
(d) Love.

Short Answer Questions

1. What virtue does Seneca say does not perish or disappoint?

2. What is the topic of Letter III?

3. Who is chastised in Letter III for not discussing his personal matters?

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

5. Which word is the best meaning of apatheia?

(see the answer keys)

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