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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After gaining dominions by merit, how does Machiavelli say a prince can hold his new territories?
(a) With great difficulty.
(b) Easily.
(c) Rarely.
(d) It is impossible.

2. What does Machiavelli say was the real cause of Cesare Borgia's ultimate failure?
(a) His bad choices of political allies.
(b) His lack of knowledge of what to do after his father's death.
(c) His opposition from the new Pope after the death of Alexander IV.
(d) His ill health after the death of his father.

3. Citing Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, and Theseus, what distinction does Machiavelli make about Moses?
(a) There is no histroy of Moses outside of the Jewish holy writings.
(b) Instead of ruling the Egyptians after defeating them, he left.
(c) Moses never actually established himself as a leader.
(d) There was something in Moses, some ability that made him worthy to speak with God.

4. Why does Machiavelli not use Agathocles as an example of meritorious rise to power?
(a) Because he came from humble beginnings.
(b) Beause he did not plan what to do after he became prince.
(c) Because his cruelty continued after he came to power.
(d) Because he was not successful in gaining control of Sicily.

5. What was Cesare Borgia's greatest mistake according to Machiavelli?
(a) Distancing himself from the French court.
(b) Allowing the election of Pope Julius II.
(c) Helping the Spanish cardinals elect a Spanish Pope.
(d) Failure to get medical attention soon enough.

6. What is it that Machiavelli prizes most of his possessions?
(a) Horses and armor.
(b) Gold and precious gems.
(c) Fine fabrics.
(d) His knowledge of the actions of great men.

7. Who does Machiavelli put forward as an example of a King who made all the mistakes in ruling a new territory?
(a) Louis XII of France.
(b) Archduke Ferdinand of Austria.
(c) Charles I of Spain.
(d) Duke Lodovico.

8. What themes does Machiavelli introduce in Chapter One?
(a) Arms and strategy.
(b) The importance of a republic.
(c) Good fortune and merit.
(d) Colonization and residency.

9. What can deprive a prince of his princedom?
(a) Extrodinary and irresistable force.
(b) Public elections.
(c) Disagreements within a family of hereditary rulers.
(d) Revolution among the lowest class of subjects.

10. What does Machiavelli see as the problem with barons?
(a) Barons are known for being cruel and causing trouble.
(b) Barons can do only what the prince orders.
(c) The people do not understand the difference between a prince and a baron.
(d) The people tend to give more aligeance to the barrons than to the prince.

11. How does Machiavelli describe the temper (mindset) of the public?
(a) Easily maintained.
(b) Ignorant.
(c) Fickle.
(d) Careless.

12. Aside from granting favors to his subjects during a siege, what does Machiavelli suggest a wise prince might do?
(a) Bribe his nobles to help him.
(b) Make promises he knows he could never keep.
(c) Get his subjects to do favors for him.
(d) Have parties within the walls as though nothing is wrong outside.

13. In the event that the prince cannot afford a large army, what should he do?
(a) Negotiate diplomatically with any potential enemies.
(b) Make sure his city is well fortified.
(c) Post lookouts in the countryside.
(d) Have a good plan to escape if attacked.

14. How does Machiavelli say Agathocles became Prince of Syracuse?
(a) Defeating the Carthiginians.
(b) Getting the poor people to support him against the aristocracy.
(c) Assembling the Senate to confer and then having them all killed.
(d) Beheading anyone who opposed him.

15. How does Machiavelli think New Dominions were formed?
(a) Through Fortune or Ability.
(b) Through War and Pestilence.
(c) Through Ability or Accident.
(d) Through democratic elections.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli say his desire is for Prince Lorenzo?

2. Aside from humble beginnings, what does Machiavelli say that Agathocles and Oliverotto have in common?

3. One Princedom, according to Machiavelli, is ruled by a sole prince; the other is by a prince and his barons. What does Machiavelli see as a weakness of the latter?

4. What example does Machiavelli give of a prince who had the support of his people and was able to withstand invasion?

5. In THE PRINCE, why does Machiavelli deal only with dominions and not republics?

(see the answer keys)

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