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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Machiavelli suggest will be the reaction of the people if he is greedy and seizes property and women?
(a) They will hate him.
(b) They will support him.
(c) They will become like him.
(d) They will think he is a just ruler.

2. What is a constant threat to any prince?
(a) Assassination.
(b) Unpopularity.
(c) Invasion.
(d) Loss of income.

3. How does Machiavelli say a prince can make himself feared without making himself hated?
(a) By hanging only unpopular criminals.
(b) By giving pardons to criminals.
(c) By leaving people's property alone.
(d) By taking the women away.

4. What does Machiavelli warn the prince against?
(a) Flattery.
(b) Seriousness.
(c) Other people's opinions of him.
(d) Unpopularity.

5. Why should a prince declare himself as for or against two warring factions?
(a) He will be able to deal with the loser.
(b) He will always know which side will win.
(c) He should not be seen as waivering.
(d) He should look like he is wiser than other princes.

6. How does Machiavelli classify auxiliary troops?
(a) As extremely reliable during a crisis.
(b) As the worst possible choice for a prince to make.
(c) As cheaper than hiring independent mercenaries.
(d) As the best possible choice for a prince to make.

7. How will the prince be seen if his ministers are capable and wise even though he is not?
(a) He will be seen as capable and wise.
(b) He will be seen as inferior.
(c) He will be seen as a puppet to his ministers.
(d) He will be seen as having a great deal of luck.

8. What causes the people to begin to support the new prince?
(a) Getting surprise gifts from the prince.
(b) Having audiences with the prince.
(c) Seeing many changes in their daily lives.
(d) Seeing they are well off.

9. How does Machiavelli say a private citizen might make himself a prince?
(a) By hiring his own mercenaries.
(b) By avoiding war and promoting peace.
(c) By becoming a puppet of an enemy military.
(d) By becoming proficient in war and rising in rank.

10. How does Machiavelli justify his position that a prince is not duty bound to keep his word?
(a) He says men are basically self-centered and will not keep their word, so the prince is not obligated to do so.
(b) He says that people always believe everything a prince says, so he can say what he pleases.
(c) He says it is the only way to keep the people satisfied that he knows what he is doing.
(d) He says that a prince should always change his mind about everything until he gets all the facts.

11. Although Machiavelli says that Pope Julius II was impetuous in all he did, still he succeeded. Why?
(a) Because of his successes, he always looked for new ways of doing things.
(b) His actions fit the times.
(c) Fate caused many changes during his time.
(d) He relied on God to keep him safe.

12. What does Machiavelli say are the two main reasons for a prince to lose his dominion?
(a) Relying on the church and neglecting to read history.
(b) Relying on himself and not listening to sound advice.
(c) Relying on past experience and not planning for the unexpected.
(d) Relying entirely on fate or making the wrong provisions for expected misfortune.

13. What can a new prince be assured of?
(a) That he will automatically have the loyalty of his subjects.
(b) That no one expects him to do anything unusual.
(c) That he will be watched closely.
(d) That there will be a time of stability in the early days.

14. What does Machiavelli suggest is the best fortress for a prince?
(a) A palace in the center of the city.
(b) Military barracks surrounding his palace.
(c) Favorable public opinion.
(d) A palace surrounded by a wide moat.

15. Machiavelli's political thought is influenced greatly by the ideas of what?
(a) The Italian Rennaissance.
(b) The writings of Aristotle.
(c) The Bible.
(d) The strength of the Medici.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which examples does Machiavelli use to support the idea of not being overly generous?

2. What does Machiavelli mean when he says "impetuousness is better than calculation"?

3. What does Machiavelli suggest is wrong with concepts of an ideal princedom or republic.

4. What does the prince gain from rewarding his ministers well for jobs well done?

5. Why should a prince keep down factions in his princedom?

(see the answer keys)

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