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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of Seneca's friends grieved the burning of the town discussed in Letter XCI?
(a) Tibius.
(b) Flaccus.
(c) Liberalis.
(d) Lucilius.

2. What is caused by the flaunting of one's possessions?
(a) Greed.
(b) Happiness.
(c) Bitterness.
(d) Envy.

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

4. According to Seneca, where are the sharpest pains?
(a) In the nose.
(b) In the eye/temple area because they are close to the brain.
(c) In the smallest area of the body.
(d) In the heart.

5. According to Seneca, what is the fruit of man's own efforts?
(a) Life.
(b) Peace between nations.
(c) Philosophy.
(d) Love.

6. According to Letter LXV, how do friends get Seneca to stop reading and writing while he is sick?
(a) By asking him to discuss a philosophical question.
(b) By taking him to a hospital.
(c) By bringing in a card game.
(d) By entertaining him with a short play.

7. Who wrote the Aeneid?
(a) Seneca.
(b) Homer.
(c) Virgil.
(d) Petronius.

8. According to his criticism in Letter CVIII, what does Seneca say literary scholars should do with philosophical theories?
(a) Interpret them correctly.
(b) Apply them to their own lives.
(c) Write fiction about them that will appeal to the masses.
(d) Compare them to other theories.

9. According to Letter LXXXVIII, how important is the knowledge of the liberal arts to Stoicism?
(a) Not at all.
(b) Vital - can't understand Stoicism without a full liberal arts background.
(c) Very important.
(d) More important than even religion.

10. What kind of events does Seneca say upsets people the most?
(a) Hysterical events.
(b) Surprise events.
(c) Planned events.
(d) Calm events.

11. What includes the studies of literature, rhetoric and history?
(a) Liberal arts.
(b) Fine arts.
(c) Bachelor of arts.
(d) Still life art.

12. How can a person be prepared for any tragedy that might happen?
(a) Plan every last detail so you have a firm schedule.
(b) Don't serve wine at any event.
(c) Calm events = calm people.
(d) Imagine all the situations, then you won't be surprised.

13. What teaches men how to live well, according to Seneca?
(a) Study of liberal arts.
(b) Science.
(c) Religion.
(d) Philosophy.

14. What does Seneca say is the greatest of all arts?
(a) Wisdom.
(b) Religion.
(c) Sculpting.
(d) Painting.

15. According to Posidinus, who ruled in the past time?
(a) Historians.
(b) Mathmeticians.
(c) Philosophers.
(d) Gods.

Short Answer Questions

1. Whose first instinct is it to incorporate wisdom into his life and actions?

2. Which line of studies does Seneca say tends to have a special temptation to vanity?

3. To whom will a person who is well-acquainted with poetry or history often be impressive?

4. According to Seneca, what often brings the most unusual tragedies?

5. Who says there are five causes?

(see the answer keys)

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