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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the irony of the death of Oliverotto of Fermo who came to power by assembling all the leaders for a dinner and then killing them all?
(a) He died of natural causes before he could become Prince of Fermo.
(b) A son of one of the murdered men put poison in his wine.
(c) He was accidentally killed by a poorly aimed arrow.
(d) Cesare Borgia did the same thing to him.

2. What does Machiavelli suggest may make a hereditary ruler unpopular with his people?
(a) Never changing the way they are accustomed to being ruled.
(b) Staying away from the princedom for long periods of time.
(c) Using his army to gain more territory.
(d) Outrageous vices.

3. What, according to Machiavelli, will always make a prince's position insecure?
(a) Relying on mercenary or auxiliary military forces.
(b) Putting too much emphasis on military rule.
(c) Failure to spend the money for a mercenary military.
(d) Being in control of the military.

4. What factor does Machiavelli suggest makes it easier to rule a new territory?
(a) If the people like the new food introduced into the dominion.
(b) If the new Prince leaves the old rulers in place.
(c) If the people have never been ruled before.
(d) If the people speak the same language.

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

6. How can a common citizen rise to political power?
(a) As a compromise between two parties.
(b) By popular election.
(c) With a lot of money behind him.
(d) Through the help of friends.

7. What does Machiavelli say are the two foundations necessary for a princedom?
(a) Total military rule and a contented public.
(b) Sound laws that do not rely on a military.
(c) Sound laws and a sound military.
(d) A popular prince and a mercenary military.

8. What is Machiavelli's example of rule by a sole prince?
(a) The Kingdom of France.
(b) The Holy Roman Empire.
(c) The Kingdom of Spain.
(d) The Turk empire.

9. How does Machiavelli say that those who help a prince obtain a new princedom may turn against him?
(a) By going elsewhere to fight new battles.
(b) By becoming jealous of his new power.
(c) By not receiving what was promised to them.
(d) By deciding that they do not need the prince.

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

11. What is Machiavelli offering the Prince Lorenzo de Medici?
(a) Personal introductions to great men Machiavelli knows.
(b) The chance to become king of all Italy.
(c) Means of mastering in a short time all Machiavelli has learned about governing.
(d) A large book of rules for new princes to use in governing the people.

12. 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.

13. What problem faces a prince appointed by the nobles?
(a) The nobles see themselves as his equal and are not inclined to obey him.
(b) The people know they have rights under a price appointed by the nobles.
(c) The people will only support a prince appointed by the nobles.
(d) The nobles never have the good will of the people which makes for tensions.

14. What reasons does Machiavelli put forward to get Prince Lorenzo to read his book?
(a) Experience and his ability as a writer.
(b) Experience and the absence of flattery.
(c) Experience and his personal need.
(d) Experience and his low-born status.

15. The next best way to rule a new territory, according to Machiavelli, is to establish a colony. Why?
(a) The conquered people get lots of land and plenty to eat.
(b) The people who have been harmed can take revenge easily.
(c) The people can now take justice into their own hands.
(d) The only people really annoyed will be those who have lost their land.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli say a new prince must do quickly after gaining a new dominion?

2. What themes does Machiavelli introduce in Chapter One?

3. What is it that Machiavelli prizes most of his possessions?

4. Before Pope Alexander VI, what prevented the Church from gaining even more power?

5. What is it that Machiavelli refrains from doing in his book?

(see the answer keys)

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