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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Although a refutative enthymeme might be more effective in a certain sense, how did Aristotle describe all enthymemes?
(a) Inequally valid.
(b) Inequally sound.
(c) Equally valid.
(d) Equally sound.

2. What did Aristotle think orators should be careful of when writing their speeches?
(a) To make them over ten minutes in length.
(b) To make them under ten minutes in length.
(c) Not to make them overly informative.
(d) Not to make them overly poetic.

3. What was Aristotle's opinion about using compound words in a speech?
(a) Some were acceptable if they were used correctly.
(b) They should generally be used.
(c) They should generally be avoided.
(d) Most were acceptable if they were used correctly.

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

5. Why did Aristotle consider metaphors to be useful in Book III, Chapter 10?
(a) People connect with sensible ideas.
(b) People connect with similar ideas.
(c) People enjoy new ideas.
(d) People enjoy thoughtful ideas.

6. According to Aristotle, what was epideictic rhetoric most likely to deal with?
(a) Small crowds of uneducated people.
(b) Large crowds of educated people.
(c) Large crowds of uneducated people.
(d) Small crowds of educated people.

7. As discussed in Book III, Chapter 12, what should legal rhetoric blend argumentation with?
(a) A familiar style.
(b) Effective delivery.
(c) A familiar delivery.
(d) Effective style.

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

9. In comparison to a spoken speech, how did Aristotle think a written speech would often appear?
(a) Boring, but not simple.
(b) Neither boring nor simple.
(c) Boring and simple.
(d) Simple, but not boring.

10. As explained in Book III, Chapter 3, in what way did writers misuse the epithet?
(a) By forgetting how to apply it.
(b) By forgetting to apply it.
(c) By applying it to inappropriate subjects.
(d) By applying it to insignificant subjects.

11. Using an example of the similarities or differences between parents and their children, how did Aristotle describe Socrates' children?
(a) Intelligent.
(b) Irrational.
(c) Foolish.
(d) Rational.

12. Continuing the theme of Aristotle's logic, what could be used to deduce the impossible?
(a) Facts and opinions.
(b) Other impossibilities.
(c) Facts and speculation.
(d) The possible.

13. What about the past did Aristotle say that a legal orator was concerned with proving?
(a) Facts.
(b) Actions.
(c) Doubts.
(d) Opinions.

14. As explained by Aristotle in Book II, Chapter 18, what was political argumentation concerned with?
(a) Both past and future events.
(b) Neither past nor future events.
(c) Future events.
(d) Past events.

15. 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 focus on several positions at once.
(c) To prove one thing by proving another first.
(d) To argue two entirely different things at once.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Aristotle, what should vivid descriptions always depict?

2. Using the same example in the previous question, why did Aristotle think a blossoming flower was a better choice for the metaphor?

3. As pointed out by Aristotle, what advantage did a speech that included a surprise have for a listener?

4. Which view did Aristotle think people in their prime had of money?

5. Based on Aristotle's discussion of objections, what would be the purpose in making a similar appeal to an argument?

(see the answer keys)

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