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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 think he is a just ruler.
(b) They will hate him.
(c) They will become like him.
(d) They will support him.

2. How is a prince ultimately judged?
(a) By his years as a prince.
(b) By his wealth and grandeur.
(c) By the mob.
(d) By his results.

3. What is the one thing a man cannot fight against according to Machiavelli?
(a) Overwhelming bad fortune.
(b) The weather.
(c) Religion.
(d) Man's own nature.

4. Why should a prince keep down factions in his princedom?
(a) The weaker faction will side with an outside enemy, and the stronger will not be able to hold out.
(b) People enjoy the debates and work production slows down.
(c) The prince must decide which faction is stronger and play up to them.
(d) Factions keep him tied up as a judge all the time.

5. 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.

6. What does Machiavelli say the new prince can least afford?
(a) Excessive kindness.
(b) Executions.
(c) Cruelty.
(d) Disorder.

7. Ferdinand of Spain became strong by waging war. What did he use to do that and get the people behind him?
(a) He only chose popular wars.
(b) The divine right of kings.
(c) The name of religion.
(d) The prosperity from military spending.

8. Why does Machiavelli insist that a prince need not always be honest?
(a) Because he cannot remember everything he said in the past.
(b) Because men are not basically good by nature.
(c) Because an honest prince cannot be cruel at the same time.
(d) Because he needs to change the circumstances.

9. What, according to Machiavelli, is better than actually having all the good qualities of leadership?
(a) Never forgetting anything said in the past.
(b) Keeping all promises.
(c) Really understanding the problems of the people.
(d) Having the appearance of being religious.

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

11. How does Machiavelli say a prince should keep the attention of the people?
(a) By explaining everything to the people.
(b) By keeping a low profile.
(c) By using his nobles to speak to the people.
(d) By taking bold actions.

12. What metaphor does Machiavelli use to explain his ideas about Fortune?
(a) We cannot stop a river from overflowing, but we can make provisions against the disaster.
(b) Fortune as a mistress who always gets the upper hand on man.
(c) The animals know when to seek higher ground even before a flood happens.
(d) We cannot control the wind and are blown about by it.

13. What does Machiavelli mean when he says "impetuousness is better than calculation"?
(a) Calculation enables one to do innovative things.
(b) Old men are usually more daring and agressive in their actions.
(c) Fortune admits more readily to boldness than to calculation.
(d) Young men are too cautious to be successful.

14. What is it that a prince cannot control among his subjects?
(a) Their fear.
(b) Their taxation.
(c) Their cooperation.
(d) Their love.

15. When rule by law is ineffective, what does Machiavelli advise the prince to use?
(a) Great honesty.
(b) Diplomacy..
(c) Popularity.
(d) Force.

Short Answer Questions

1. What Roman Emperor does Machiavelli cite as an example of being both a lion and a fox?

2. What is the advantage of being miserly?

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

4. Why does Machiavelli say that auxiliary forces are more dangerous than mercenaries?

5. What results when a ruler lacks resolution and his mind is easily changed.

(see the answer keys)

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