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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When does Machiavelli say a prince should be thinking most about military strategy?
(a) When he visits another prince.
(b) When he is being invaded.
(c) During times of peace.
(d) On hunting expeditions.

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

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

4. What does the wise prince do to maintain the loyalty of the people?
(a) Perfroms the popular acts himself and delegates unpopular actions to someone else.
(b) Does both popular and unpopular actions always in a fair manner.
(c) Plays with the people and leaves the government up to someone else.
(d) Exasperates the nobles and therefore pleases the people.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli say the King of Naples and the Duke of Milan had in common?

2. Why does Machiavelli say that the sultans of Turkey and Egypt had to listen more to the military than to the people?

3. Who can successfully gain the reputation for generosity but not ruin himself in the process?

4. What is the best type of mind Machiavelli says is needed for a strong prince?

5. What is the advantage of being miserly?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Machiavelli's famous statement that is is better to be feared than loved.

2. How does Machiavelli tell the prince to avoid assassination attempts against him?

3. What is Machiavelli's advice regarding unasked for counsel?

4. Discuss Machiavelli's discourse on flattery.

5. Detail how Machiavelli says Italian princes lose their dominions.

6. Describe the two main reasons that a prince may be secure one day and lose his dominion the next.

7. How does Machiavelli say a prince should be like a fox and a lion?

8. How does Machiavelli evaluate the three types of mind he says princes may have?

9. Because new princes are closely watched, what does Machiavelli say they must do?

10. What kind of reading does Machiavelli advise for the prince? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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