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

2. Why was a refutative enthymeme considered to be more effective by Aristotle?
(a) It was more concise and more elegant.
(b) It was less concise and less elegant.
(c) It was less concise and more elegant.
(d) It was more concise and less elegant.

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

4. Why did Aristotle prefer the periodic prose to the free-running prose?
(a) Periodic prose was more familiar.
(b) Periodic prose was easier to use.
(c) Free-running prose had fallen out of fashion.
(d) Free-running prose had just been introduced.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Although a refutative enthymeme might be more effective in a certain sense, how did Aristotle describe all enthymemes?

2. Which one of the following was not included by Aristotle in his description of young people?

3. Why did Aristotle say that metaphors were useful in a speech?

4. In Aristotle's opinion, why were many people not swayed by sound arguments?

5. How many periods of a lifetime did Aristotle discuss in Book II, Chapter 12?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Aristotle define a maxim?

2. What was the periodic form of prose, and why did Aristotle prefer it?

3. What were some of the ways Aristotle described what was and was not possible in rhetoric and oratory?

4. In what way did Aristotle describe the differences between written prose and spoken prose in Book III, Chapter 12?

5. Which rules for poetry and prose did Aristotle outline in Book III, Chapter 2?

6. What were the four ways that Aristotle listed about how objections could be raised?

7. In Aristotle's opinion, why were non-logical ways necessary to convince certain audiences of a sound argument?

8. How did Aristotle define the application of vivid descriptions in rhetoric?

9. Why might an enthymeme have been more effective with a surprising conclusion?

10. What value could surprises have in a speech, and what were some of the forms they could take?

(see the answer keys)

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