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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the prince gain from rewarding his ministers well for jobs well done?
(a) He gets time to look around for new ministers who are not so dangerous.
(b) He gets losts of gifts from those ministers who become wealthy.
(c) He gets a percentage of all those ministers make from taking bribes.
(d) He gets their support without fear of their trying to overthrow him.

2. How much of man's fate does Machiavelli ascribe to God and Fortune?
(a) None at all.
(b) A little less than half.
(c) Everything.
(d) Almost all.

3. Those who were viewed with suspicion at the beginning of a princedom usually become the most loyal subjects. Why?
(a) The prince was a poor judge of character in the beginning.
(b) They never did anything to cause distrust in the first place.
(c) They work hard to gain the approval of the prince.
(d) The prince will use them for unpopular tasks.

4. What is the advantage of being miserly?
(a) Waging was is possible without having to tax the people heavily.
(b) The prince can go count his money when he cannot sleep.
(c) The people will not work harder to receive the prince's generosity.
(d) Everything eventually belongs to the prince.

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

6. Who is Machiavelli's ultimate example of the correct use of cruelty?
(a) Moses.
(b) King Louis.
(c) Hannibal.
(d) Alexander the Great.

7. How does Machiavelli define avarice?
(a) Being nothing but a warrior.
(b) Being so generous that he has nothing left.
(c) Being miserly and not generous enough.
(d) Being of the disposition to take what is not one's own.

8. Who does Machiavelli cite as an example of generosity that ended badly?
(a) Moses.
(b) Marc Anthony.
(c) Alexander the Great.
(d) Julius Caesar.

9. What message does a prince give his subjects if he builds a fortress for himself?
(a) That he trusts his military advisors.
(b) That he fears the people.
(c) That he is more important than the people.
(d) That he will always be ready to defend the people.

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

11. What response does a prince receive if he is seen as fickle, effeminate, cowardly, frivolous, or irresolute?
(a) Strong support.
(b) Contempt.
(c) None.
(d) Admiration.

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

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

14. What does Machiavelli say is the first requirement of a commander?
(a) Making sure he has the money to pay his mercenaries.
(b) Knowing how to locate the enemy, deploy his soldiers, and lay siege to a city.
(c) Frequently reviewing his troops.
(d) Making constant changes in his miliary command.

15. What does Machiavelli say the King of Naples and the Duke of Milan had in common?
(a) They both improved the laws in their dominions.
(b) They both learned quickly how to rule effectively.
(c) They both had great skill in dealing with the nobles.
(d) They both lost their dominions in Italy.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Machiavelli justify his position that a prince is not duty bound to keep his word?

2. What did Heiro of Syracuse do when he realized his mercenary troops were worthless?

3. A prince who has acquired a new dominion added to his own should disarm the conquered people. Why?

4. How does Machiavelli define auxiliary forces?

5. What does Machiavelli say is the only art expected of a prince?

(see the answer keys)

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