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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What kind of ailments does Seneca say are not as obvious as they worsen?
(a) Mental.
(b) Physical.
(c) Spiritual.
(d) Breathing-related ones.

2. Who does Seneca praise in Letter XI?
(a) Lucilius' ancestors.
(b) Lucilius' father.
(c) Lucilius himself.
(d) Lucilius' friend.

3. What virtue does Seneca say does not perish or disappoint?
(a) Fortune.
(b) Beauty.
(c) Kindness.
(d) Wisdom.

4. In Letter XII, what does Seneca notice about one of his properties?
(a) The tenants changed it without permission.
(b) It has burned down.
(c) It is not rented.
(d) It is delapidated.

5. What do people who attend the celebration discussed in Letter XVII do?
(a) Discuss town issues.
(b) Praise Seneca.
(c) Watch acrobats and clowns.
(d) Feast and get drunk.

6. How does one perfect his own soul, according to Seneca?
(a) By having faith in no more than three gods.
(b) By living according to his rational nature.
(c) By getting plenty of sleep.
(d) By writing letters daily.

7. At what time does Seneca say he has already experienced death?
(a) When doing yoga.
(b) Once in a brawl when he was younger.
(c) Before he was born.
(d) During meditation.

8. What does Seneca say about the Stoic troubled by no external concerns?
(a) The heart.
(b) The mind.
(c) The soul.
(d) The body.

9. What does Seneca say is the worst noise of all?
(a) Insects.
(b) Crashes.
(c) Voices.
(d) Music.

10. According to Seneca, if one begins taking lessons other than philosophy, what happens?
(a) He diversifies his talents.
(b) His life will be governed by that subject rather than philosophy.
(c) He becomes known as a Renaissance Man.
(d) He becomes a well-rounded man.

11. What specific things might a philosopher lack that could tarnish philosophy's reputation among outsiders?
(a) Wealth, fine clothing and hygiene.
(b) Books, glasses, jewelry.
(c) A mansion, slaves, and orgies.
(d) Wine, big home, health.

12. What is an oxymoron?
(a) Someone who does not understand Oxystoicism.
(b) Someone who does not practice virtue at all.
(c) A combination of contradictory words or phrases.
(d) A theory related to oxygen.

13. Whose estate does Seneca ride past in Letter LV?
(a) Claudius.
(b) Lucilius.
(c) Vatia.
(d) Antonius.

14. What does Seneca say many slave-owners foolishly think?
(a) That they will never have to work again.
(b) That the slaves will care for their families once the owner dies.
(c) That it is to their credit that they are the slave-owners.
(d) That their slaves must love and respect them.

15. Who says in Chapter XVII that wise men should avoid the festival that is being celebrated?
(a) Lucilious.
(b) No one.
(c) Epicurious.
(d) Seneca.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who says that hope is the cause of fear?

2. What are Seneca's comments about the book he mentions in Letter XLVI?

3. Who, according to Seneca, is deliberate and prepared?

4. How does noise affect Seneca's ability to study?

5. In Letter XVI, what kind of life is said to have no direction?

(see the answer keys)

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