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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. As explained by Aristotle in Book II, Chapter 24, what else might a person equivocate?
(a) The description of events.
(b) The order of events.
(c) The use of words.
(d) The meaning of words.

2. Which of the following examples best demonstrates Aristotle's theory of possibility in Book II, Chapter 19?
(a) Clouds and rain.
(b) Thunder and lightening.
(c) Heat and sunshine.
(d) Snow and ice.

3. What shape was described in the example Aristotle provided for the use of description in an impressive speech?
(a) Rectangle.
(b) Circle.
(c) Triangle.
(d) Square.

4. Which one of the following was not included by Aristotle in his description of young people?
(a) Independent.
(b) Bold.
(c) Active.
(d) Courageous.

5. What did the paean avoid in order to gain Aristotle's endorsement as the ideal rhythm for prose?
(a) A common meter.
(b) A definite meter.
(c) An indefinite meter.
(d) An uncommon meter.

6. Which one of the following would be an example of a fallacious enthymeme?
(a) To mistake the whole for another whole.
(b) To mistake the part for another part.
(c) To mistake the part of the whole for the whole's previous part.
(d) To mistake the whole for the part.

7. Using the same example in the previous question, why did Aristotle think a blossoming flower was a better choice for the metaphor?
(a) It was more beautiful and more familiar.
(b) It was more familiar and more inspiring.
(c) It was more beautiful, inspiring, and familiar.
(d) It was more beautiful and more inspiring.

8. To object to an argument, whose authority did Aristotle think could be appealed to?
(a) A well known writer or judge.
(b) A well known writer or lawyer.
(c) A respected writer or judge.
(d) A respected writer or lawyer.

9. What effect did Aristotle think an antithesis saying had on the point it was making?
(a) It made the point especially striking.
(b) It made the point less complex.
(c) It made the point especially startling.
(d) It made the point more complex.

10. What did Aristotle think was wrong with the metaphor that compared a man with a square?
(a) He thought it was confusing.
(b) He thought it was too complex.
(c) He thought it was boring.
(d) He thought it was too simple.

11. Based on Aristotle's views, how should any good speech be appropriate?
(a) For its subject matter and past speeches.
(b) For its audience, subject matter, and past speeches.
(c) For its audience and subject matter.
(d) For its audience and past speeches.

12. What did Aristotle indicate was the result of using complex, foreign words?
(a) They confused people.
(b) They caused people to stop thinking of things.
(c) They annoyed people.
(d) They caused people to overthink things.

13. What was the basic method used in the a fortiori argument that Aristotle referred to in Book II, Chapter 23?
(a) To focus on only one position at a time.
(b) To argue two entirely different things at once.
(c) To focus on several positions at once.
(d) To prove one thing by proving another first.

14. As both illustrations and fables utilized imagery to make a point, what type of imagery did Aristotle think fables used?
(a) Fantastic.
(b) Realistic.
(c) Relevant.
(d) Irrelevant.

15. According to Aristotle, what was the general difference between enthymemes and examples?
(a) Neither enthymemes nor examples were persuasive.
(b) Both enthymemes and examples were just as persuasive.
(c) Enthymemes were more persuasive than examples.
(d) Examples were more persuasive than enthymemes.

Short Answer Questions

1. Based on Aristotle's explanation of the wealthy, how did wealthy people view the opinions of others about money?

2. How did Aristotle describe the difference between spoken and written prose?

3. What did Aristotle think orators should be careful of when writing their speeches?

4. Following the example given in Book II, Chapter 24, what false assumption could be made by describing a large crowd?

5. Which one of the following was not included by Aristotle in Book III, Chapter 4, in his discussion of what differentiated a simile from a metaphor?

(see the answer keys)

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