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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What was Machiavelli's method for learning political government?
(a) He tried all methods of government himself.
(b) He studied the outstanding rulers of the past.
(c) He relied on his own intuitions.
(d) He formed a college to study the various ideas.

3. Why is setting up a system of government using conquered citizens effective?
(a) They see that everything will be exactly like their old government.
(b) They see they cannot survive without the protection and support of the conquering prince.
(c) They do not have to pay tribute to the new prince.
(d) They do not have to make friends of the new prince.

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

5. What does Machiavelli say a new prince must do quickly after gaining a new dominion?
(a) Hand out money.
(b) Build a new palace.
(c) Read his book.
(d) Learn quickly.

6. What is the custom of Machiavelli's day in approaching a prince?
(a) Writing a petition of audience.
(b) Coming in on hands and knees.
(c) Catching the prince outside his palace.
(d) Bringing a gift.

7. What is it that Machiavelli refrains from doing in his book?
(a) Giving only the facts of great leaders and how they governed.
(b) Using high sounding literary devices to make the work seem more important.
(c) Making everything brief in his writing so that main points are missed.
(d) Using language of respect that is usually spoken before a prince.

8. What are the two types of government identified by Machiavelli?
(a) State and Dominion.
(b) City State and Territory.
(c) State and Republic.
(d) Kingdom and City State.

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

10. What example does Machiavelli give of a prince who had the support of his people and was able to withstand invasion?
(a) Giorgio Scalli of Florence.
(b) Gracci of Rome.
(c) Cesar Borgia of Romagna.
(d) Nabis, Prince of Sparta.

11. What does Machiavelli say about skilled mercenary captains?
(a) They are too expensive.
(b) They cannot be trusted.
(c) They are hard to find.
(d) They will only take orders from the prince.

12. 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?
(a) If the prince dies the barons all lose their hereditary titles.
(b) The prince does always knows what the barons are doing in their territories.
(c) The barons hold their titles by heredity and not by the favor of the prince, so there is less loyalty.
(d) The prince becomes lazy and leaves everything up to the barons.

13. What does Machiavelli suggest is the surest way to govern a conquered territory?
(a) Keep the old system in place.
(b) Destroy its civil and political systems first.
(c) Start paying higher salaries to bureaucrats.
(d) Declare many holidays.

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

15. Does Machiavelli suggest that rising to power through cruelty is always wrong?
(a) He believes that cruelty must continue to be successful.
(b) He states that political assassination is not cruelty.
(c) He suggests that there is a proper use of cruelty.
(d) He says any use of cruelty cannot be justified.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who was responsible for weakening the power of Colonna and Orsini, the barons of Rome?

2. How can a prince deal with the people when they see their lands burning outside the city walls?

3. How does Machiavelli define a new princedom or dominion?

4. Machiavelli says that tensions between the nobles and commoners may result in a principality, a republic, or what other condition?

5. To whom does Machiavelli compare himself in writing this book?

(see the answer keys)

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