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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. What is a symposium?
(a) A small club of Sophists.
(b) An ancient restaurant.
(c) An outdoor gathering of philosophers near a nobleman's residence.
(d) An all- night drinking party where various elite Greeks discuss the meaning of love.

2. Who is Asclepius?
(a) A doctor who gave simple and quick treatments to his patients.
(b) A ruler who looks kindly among his subjects.
(c) A tyrant who reigns over his people.
(d) A philosopher who offers a competing argument.

3. Who is Eryximachus?
(a) The last speaker and surprise guest at the symposium.
(b) A poet who argues that men and woman were once fused beings.
(c) A doctor who argues that love is like a medicine curing life's ailments.
(d) A philosopher who attacks Pausanias' postion.

4. To illustrate one facet of his argument, Socrates employs the help of which character?
(a) Meno's wife.
(b) Plato to clarify Socrates' words for a perplexed Meno.
(c) A nearby slave boy to whom he teaches simple geometry.
(d) A nearby guard who speaks about virtuous people he knows.

5. Describe Meno's appearance and attitude when he meets Socrates.
(a) Middle- aged and curious.
(b) Youthful, though ugly and shy.
(c) Old, thoughtful, and wise.
(d) Young and handsome though impulsive and arrogant.

Short Answer Questions

1. When first asked by Socrates to define virtue, Meno responds with which of the following?

2. According to Socrates, what are the two ways of training the soul?

3. What is the major point of Aristophanes' speech?

4. Which demographic of the Athenian population does Socrates single out for discussion?

5. Why does Socrates discuss Asclepius' philosophy?

Short Essay Questions

1. How should soldiers, according to Socrates, be trained in the ideal republic?

2. Is The Republic only interested in individual justice?

3. Does Socrates believe that his theoretical republic is a realistic political plan for a city?

4. What is the purpose of Alcibiades late-night intrusion into the Symposium? What does he talk about?

5. How does Socrates plan to prevent the rulers from becoming tyrants?

6. What would happen, according to Socrates, if a cobbler exercised the role of a leader?

7. What is Socrates ultimate conclusion about the function of justice?

8. What is an art, according to Socrates?

9. What does Diotima teach Socrates about love? How does this compare to Aristophanes' view?

10. What does Cephalus tell Socrates about the key to enjoying old age?

(see the answer keys)

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