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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. Who, according to Seneca, is deliberate and prepared?
(a) A wise man.
(b) A priest.
(c) A general.
(d) A public servant.

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

5. What does Seneca say cannot be learned only through reading?
(a) Mythology.
(b) Astronomy.
(c) Writing.
(d) Virtue.

Short Answer Questions

1. What kind of people does Seneca warn Lucilius to steer clear of in Letter XLVIII?

2. Why do people become slaves, according to Seneca?

3. What kind of ailments does Seneca say are not as obvious as they worsen?

4. What type of studies does Letter XII use as an example?

5. How does Seneca say slaves should be corrected?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Seneca's thoughts on the phrase "cheerful poverty?"

2. According to Seneca, how should a wise man deal with grief itself?

3. What does Seneca say the unphilosophical life lacks and what does it have? Why is the life of a philosopher better?

4. How does noise affect Seneca's studies and how does his explanation become a metaphor for the Stoic soul?

5. What is the goal of philosophy, as stated by Seneca?

6. What is a sedan chair and why does Seneca use one occasionally?

7. What happened when Seneca went out on the town in search of "witty entertainment" and how was he affected by the situation?

8. What is the difference between a Stoic and anyone else in regards to emotions?

9. Why does Lucilius call Seneca a hypocrite in Letter VIII?

10. What is a "quibbler" and what advice does Seneca offer to Lucilius about quibblers?

(see the answer keys)

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