View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is the discussion between, in "Discussions at Tusculum"?
(a) Cicero and a friend.
(b) Cicero and his dad.
(c) Cicero and Caesar.
(d) Cicero and Dante.

2. What are external 'bads' considered to be, according to Cicero?
(a) Necessary to happiness.
(b) Unpreferables.
(c) Indifferents.
(d) Preferables.

3. What are the contents of the book "On Duties" applicable to?
(a) Present day crisis.
(b) Jesus.
(c) Friendship.
(d) Tyranny.

4. Who does Cicero compare Dionysius to?
(a) Dante and Plato.
(b) Plato and Archimedes.
(c) Petrach and Archimedes.
(d) Plato and Plutarch.

5. What dictatorships does Cicero oppose in "On Duties"?
(a) Cassius'.
(b) Caesar's.
(c) Brutus's.
(d) Crassus'.

6. What did Cicero believe humans cannot find peace without?
(a) Fighting for your thoughts.
(b) Serving mankind.
(c) Falling in love.
(d) Thoughts and rations.

7. How many virtues does Cicero argue moral goodness is comprised of?
(a) 2.
(b) 5.
(c) 3.
(d) 1.

8. What did an ancient ethical view believe was necessary for happiness?
(a) Stability.
(b) Being positive.
(c) Being true to oneself.
(d) Friends.

9. According to the introduction, what did Cicero take refuge in after a divorce, fights with friends, and his daughter's death?
(a) Meditation.
(b) Observing nature.
(c) Reading.
(d) Writing.

10. Who does Grant say took over power in the Roman Republic during Cicero's writing?
(a) Caesar.
(b) Crassus.
(c) Julius.
(d) Cassius.

11. What is the purpose of the book "On Duties"?
(a) So people will reassess their lives.
(b) To challenge its readers.
(c) To inspire its readers.
(d) So statesmen can come to know their duties.

12. What happens once virtue is acquired, according to Cicero?
(a) It is temporary.
(b) It makes a person good, thus making him happy.
(c) It is permanent.
(d) It can not be lost except by free choice.

13. According to the introduction, how did Pope Gregory I respond to Cicero's work?
(a) He refused to ackowledge his writings.
(b) He burned them.
(c) He banned his work for centuries.
(d) He gave him high praise.

14. What type of interest did the Romans have towards philosophy, according to Grant?
(a) Deep intrigue.
(b) Deep and thoughtful.
(c) Slight intrigue.
(d) Superficial.

15. What are the third and fourth principles concerned with, in "On Duties"?
(a) Dictators.
(b) Expediency.
(c) Love.
(d) Taxes.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who was Cicero worried about, according to the introduction?

2. How many miles was the setting of "Discussions at Tusculum" from Cicero's home?

3. What did Cicero believe strongly about the virtues of philosophy?

4. According to "On Duties," how do people find theft by the state?

5. What group was Cicero's classical background popular among?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 412 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample