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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In what cases does Machiavelli endorse acting foolishly?
(a) To Amuse the Nobles.
(b) To confuse enemies at war.
(c) To confuse political enemies.
(d) To please a powerful Prince.

2. What does Machiavelli predict will come of corrupted Republics if they do not take the important step of extending its life?
(a) They will fall victim to a Tyrant.
(b) The corruption will kill the body.
(c) They will become ineffective and subject to the rule of a stronger Republic.
(d) They will break apart into new Republics

3. What did Livius' history of Rome identify as the three divisions of the Roman army?
(a) Principi, Infantry, and Navy.
(b) Astati, Principi, and Triari.
(c) Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery.
(d) .Triari, Navy, and Ordinance.

4. What does Machiavelli believe comes to a good army without a good Captain?
(a) It becomes insolent and dangerous.
(b) It breaks apart and goes home.
(c) It sells itself to the highest bidder.
(d) It regroups and promotes its most virtuous member.

5. What does Machiavelli identify as the cause of using dishonorable words against an enemy?
(a) Poor discipline in the army.
(b) Poor military tactics of the enemy.
(c) False hopes brought by victory.
(d) Corruption that leads to an enemy's defeat.

6. How do weak men handle changes in fortune, according to Machiavelli?
(a) They are insufferable in good times and obscure in bad times.
(b) They are arrogant in good times and cowards in bad times.
(c) They are greedy in good times and beggars in bad times.
(d) They are vain and inebriated by good fortune and vile and abject in bad fortune.

7. What often happens to Captains who see a tactical error committed by their enemies?
(a) They are blinded by the desire for victory.
(b) They move into passes and ambush the enemy.
(c) They take the steps to assure victory.
(d) They are overly cautious and bring defeat.

8. What institution does Machiavelli cite in Chapter 46 as being responsible for producing men that are either "harsh or effeminate."
(a) The Senate.
(b) The Plebs.
(c) The Magistrates.
(d) The family.

9. What, according to Machiavelli, determines whether or not a Republic falls into tyranny.
(a) The weakness of its Princes.
(b) The corruption of its Nobles.
(c) The reputation of its Citizens.
(d) The absence of its military.

10. What does Machiavelli claim causes men to conspire against their target?
(a) The desire to take power over the military.
(b) The desire to manipulate the general masses.
(c) The desire to liberate a country occupied by the Prince.
(d) The desire to take control of the Senate

11. How many commanders does Machiavelli advise over an army?
(a) One.
(b) One for battle and one for negotiation.
(c) A tribunal.
(d) One for each division.

12. What phrase could summarize what Livius' details as qualifications for an effective Captain.
(a) His wisdom is established by his deceptions.
(b) He earns animosity in training but trust in battle.
(c) His men hate his personality but love his tactics.
(d) He leads by deeds and not words.

13. What does Machiavelli claim that prudent men usually say?
(a) "Whoever wants to see what is to be, considers what has been;...."
(b) "The only thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history..."
(c) "You have a reference to analyze the past, but none such for the future;..."
(d) "Only God knows the future and I am not God;..."

14. What does Machiavelli believe is the only consideration to be made when the defense of a country is at stake?
(a) To avoid combat or strike immediately.
(b) To live free or die.
(c) To hide inside the City or escape to the open field.
(d) That the life of the country is safe and its liberty is maintained.

15. What does Machiavelli write will prevent a bad Citizen from working evil in a Republic?
(a) General disregard for their reputation.
(b) The government taking steps to temporize the bad Citizen.
(c) Conspiracy against the bad Citizen.
(d) The absence of corruption.

Short Answer Questions

1. Of what is Machiavelli critical regarding the military tactics of his day?

2. What does Machiavelli advise Princes in observing promises made under force?

3. What has Machiavelli considered many times to be the causes of good and bad fortunes to men?

4. According to Machiavelli, what is the sign of a truly powerful Republic?

5. What does Machiavelli consider the most useful possession for the defense of a Republic?

(see the answer keys)

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