View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Africanus tell Scipio about his future, in "The Dream of Scipio"?
(a) He has a destiny to rule.
(b) He will lose many battles.
(c) He has God in him.
(d) He will win many battles.

2. What is Cicero known as, according to "On the Orator"?
(a) A good oratory teacher.
(b) A mediocre orator.
(c) A great orator of history.
(d) A sufficient orator.

3. What does the dialogue concern itself with in "On the Orator"?
(a) A list of works.
(b) A list of people.
(c) A poem.
(d) A debate.

4. What do the orbits of the planets produce, in "The Dream of Scipio"?
(a) A conection of spirits.
(b) Peace.
(c) A cosmic harmony.
(d) A pretty path.

5. Who challenges Crassus' views with historical counter-examples?
(a) Scaevola.
(b) Antonius.
(c) Dante.
(d) Cicero.

6. What does "On The Orator "concern itself with?
(a) If Cicero is a good orator.
(b) The role of the orator or statesmen.
(c) Who is a good orator.
(d) What makes a person a good orator.

7. Who takes the dictatorial control in "Laelius: On Friendship"?
(a) Brutus.
(b) Cassius.
(c) Crassus.
(d) Marcus Antonius.

8. What does Laelius argue about a life without friends?
(a) It is not worth living.
(b) It is unfulfilled.
(c) It is simple and peaceful.
(d) It is lonely.

9. What is Scipio mesmerized by the sight of?
(a) Mercury.
(b) Mars.
(c) The oceans.
(d) Earth.

10. Who visits Scipio in his dream?
(a) His grandfather.
(b) His dad.
(c) His grandmother.
(d) His best friend.

11. Where are the other men involved located, during the dialogue of "On the Orator"?
(a) The Colloseum.
(b) The Pantheon.
(c) Tusculum.
(d) The Roman Forum.

12. When was the excerpt of "The Dream of Scipio" rediscovered?
(a) The Renaissance.
(b) Prior to Cicero's "On the Good Life."
(c) The medieval period.
(d) Post revolutionary war.

13. According to Laelius, how is friendship formed?
(a) Through thought.
(b) Through love.
(c) Through desire.
(d) Through food.

14. According to Laelius, what is friendship in accord with?
(a) Religion.
(b) Respect.
(c) Nature.
(d) Love.

15. What do great orators possess according to "On the Orator"?
(a) Knowledge.
(b) An innate gift.
(c) Talent.
(d) Desrie.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Cicero hope to save through writing, "On the Orator"?

2. When was Laelius born in relation to when Cicero wrote "Laelius: On Friendship"?

3. What does Crassus compare oratory to?

4. Why are great orators hard to find, according to Cicero in "On the Orator"?

5. What does oratory require beside good speech, according to "On the Orator"?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 441 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample