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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Machiavelli say is the problem with remaining neutral between two warring sides?
(a) It cuts off all diplomatic relations.
(b) It is impossible to do.
(c) It loses former allies.
(d) It gives the appearance of self-importance.

2. What does Machiavelli tell the prince is more important than morality in government?
(a) Expediency.
(b) Generosity.
(c) Religion.
(d) Philosophy.

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

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

5. Who can successfully gain the reputation for generosity but not ruin himself in the process?
(a) A prince who only gives when he can expect a generous return.
(b) A prince who has unlimited resources.
(c) A prince who gives away someone else's money.
(d) A prince who goes to war to create jobs for his subjects.

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

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

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

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

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

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

12. 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) The prince will use them for unpopular tasks.
(c) They work hard to gain the approval of the prince.
(d) They never did anything to cause distrust in the first place.

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

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

15. What dichotomy does Machiavelli present regarding goodness and vices in a prince?
(a) Vices can be balanced out by the amount of fear they generate.
(b) Goodness will preserve his princedom while vices will bring his downfall.
(c) His goodness may lead to his downfall whereas his vices may sometimes keep him safe.
(d) People see goodness as weakness and vices as strengths.

Short Answer Questions

1. What message does a prince give his subjects if he builds a fortress for himself?

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

3. What is the advantage of taking sides when both warring factions are weaker than the prince?

4. What must a prince always do concerning advice?

5. What is more effective than honesty in a prince?

(see the answer keys)

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