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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Machiavelli recommend that prudent men avoid?
(a) Deceit and war.
(b) Threatening and injuring anyone with words.
(c) Idleness and peace.
(d) Corruption and lies.

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 break apart into new Republics
(b) They will fall victim to a Tyrant.
(c) They will become ineffective and subject to the rule of a stronger Republic.
(d) The corruption will kill the body.

3. What does Machiavelli advise Princes in observing promises made under force?
(a) That they are not to be observed when the force is removed.
(b) To observe them without reservation as they put themselves in the situation due to incompenence.
(c) To observe them until which time they can fight for freedom.
(d) To deceive the party who forces the promise until they can make alliances that will defeat him.

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

5. What method of dealing with leaders of tumults that divide cities does Machiavelli favor?
(a) Killing the leaders of tumults.
(b) Taking the women into slavery.
(c) Conscripting combatants into the military.
(d) Dividing the City's wealth among the factions.

6. According to Machiavelli, what prevented the ambitions of the Nobles from corrupting Rome?
(a) Wars drained their wealth.
(b) The power of the Tribunes and the Plebes.
(c) The expanded Empire required that they move to colonies to lead them.
(d) Social ostracism by the Senate.

7. What does Machiavelli name as the reason that good men cannot accomplish good for his country?
(a) They are at war.
(b) Envy of other men.
(c) Incompetence.
(d) The lack of methods to pass down customs.

8. Why would corrupt Republics accept common deceptions?
(a) Because they keep anyone from knowing any truth.
(b) Because they hide the corruption of the political class.
(c) Because they help to confuse Citizens to the corruption.
(d) Because they are put forward by men who want favors more readily for themselves than for the public.

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

10. What does Machiavelli consider to be a great sign of weakness in Republic?
(a) When it uses diplomatic skill to cajole the support of other Republics.
(b) When it relies on war to gain new territory.
(c) When it provides money to other cities that are weaker than it.
(d) When it continually keeps armies out of fear of other Republics.

11. What does Machiavelli claim happens to great men in times of peace?
(a) They retire and slip into obscurity.
(b) They become corrupted and evil.
(c) They become neglected.
(d) They become tyrants.

12. What opportunities come to Princes who take Machiavelli's advice in acting to take something from another Prince.
(a) The Prince who is being assaulted will have their army away from the City.
(b) The Prince who is being assaulted will be imprisoned.
(c) The Prince who is being assualted will not be able to consult his Captains.
(d) The Prince who is being assaulted might make decisions fueled by anger.

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

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

15. What does Machiavelli praise of the ancient Roman battlefield tactics?
(a) The ability of the second and third divisions to absorb fallen lines ahead of them and proceed in battle.
(b) The ability of the first division to puncture enemy lines so the second and third divisions can over run the command centers.
(c) The fierceness of the soldiers to dictate the terms of every battle.
(d) The ability of the three divisions to outman enemies and scare them from the battlefields.

Short Answer Questions

1. What example does Machiavelli use to show how a Republic can handle a malady?

2. What does Machiavelli advise to Princes who desire to take something from another Prince?

3. What does Machiavelli consider necessary to take control over a Republic to install a bad form of government over it?

4. What does Machiavelli claim to be the conduct of excellent and courageous men whether they experience good fortune or bad?

5. Against whom are conspiracies made?

(see the answer keys)

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