View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to the introduction, how did the younger Seneca receive Cicero?
(a) He praised him, but found his writings shallow.
(b) He read him only to challenge his work.
(c) He noted him once in one of his essays.
(d) He slammed him.

2. What are the series of arguments about in "On Duties"?
(a) They are against religion.
(b) They are against liberty.
(c) They are against confomrity.
(d) They are against tyranny.

3. What are external goods merely considered to be by Cicero?
(a) Preferables.
(b) Indifferents.
(c) Necessary to happiness.
(d) Unpreferables.

4. According to Cicero, how was the Stoics view counter-intuitive?
(a) It denounces material importance.
(b) It contradicts Cicero's opinions.
(c) This view suggests one can be happy with no external or bodily goods.
(d) It denounces relationship importance.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the book of "On Duties" begin?

2. Who is the discussion between, in "Discussions at Tusculum"?

3. In "On Duties," which book is only reproduced in this particular selection of readings?

4. What does happiness necessarily require, according to Cicero?

5. What did an ancient ethical view believe was necessary for happiness?

Short Essay Questions

1. Tell why Cicero didn't identify with one type of philosophical school.

2. What is the setting of "Discussions at Tusculum"?

3. How do wise rulers win their subjects, according to Cicero?

4. Of those listed in the introduction, what were some of the opinions the various author's had of Cicero?

5. What will breed resentment among a ruler's subjects?

6. What are the intellectual goods that bring happiness, according to "Discussions at Tusculum"?

7. What does Discussions at Tusculum discuss?

8. When did Cicero write most of his works?

9. What are 'preferables,' 'unpreferables,' and 'indifferents' according to the Stoics?

10. Describe what Cicero insinuated about Caesar, in "On Duties".

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 605 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample