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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Letter XVI, what kind of life is said to have no direction?
(a) Philosophical.
(b) Hard working.
(c) Unphilosophicla.
(d) Lazy.

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

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

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

5. How should an owner be seen by his slaves, according to Seneca?
(a) Feared.
(b) Loved.
(c) Hated.
(d) With no emotion.

6. According to Seneca, what are people who are easily disturbed by noises lacking?
(a) Ear plugs.
(b) Peace.
(c) Common sense.
(d) Religion.

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

8. Who, according to Seneca, retired out of fear of being persecuted by the Emperor?
(a) Nero.
(b) Lucilius.
(c) Vatia.
(d) Himself.

9. 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) Seneca.
(d) Aristotle.

10. What holiday is celebrated at the time Letter XVII is written?
(a) Ides of March.
(b) Festival of Bacchus.
(c) Saturnalia.
(d) Cinco de Mayo.

11. What does Seneca say happens to life when one focuses too much on trivial and fleeting activities?
(a) It ends earlier.
(b) It causes much sickness.
(c) It becomes meaningless and not worth living.
(d) It is fulfilled with recreation.

12. How does Seneca say slaves should be corrected?
(a) Mental torture.
(b) By taking something away, like food.
(c) Verbally.
(d) With physical punishment.

13. What virtue does Seneca say does not perish or disappoint?
(a) Beauty.
(b) Kindness.
(c) Fortune.
(d) Wisdom.

14. Why do people become slaves, according to Seneca?
(a) It is by their merit.
(b) It is punishment for a crime.
(c) It is their choice.
(d) It is by their fortune.

15. Who says that excessive anger is a threat to one's sanity?
(a) Seneca.
(b) Epicurius.
(c) Plato.
(d) Sophocles.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which philosopher does Seneca quote in Letter II despite the fact that he does not particularly like him?

2. Whose estate does Seneca ride past in Letter LV?

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

4. According to Letter XLI, where is the soul from?

5. What is it that Seneca says no human being merits?

(see the answer keys)

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