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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What affects Seneca's exercise time according to Letter LXXXIII?
(a) His lack of time.
(b) His old age.
(c) The amount of time he studies.
(d) His lack of interest.

2. Who says there are five causes?
(a) Plato.
(b) Sophocles.
(c) Aristotle.
(d) Seneca.

3. How much duty does Seneca say one must must fulfill before his life ends?
(a) Whatever the tax collector chooses to bill him.
(b) No set amount.
(c) At least one good deed per day.
(d) 25 years worth.

4. According to Seneca in Letter LXXXVIII, what should man not strive to become?
(a) A good man.
(b) A learned man.
(c) A pleasant man.
(d) A religious man.

5. Who is Scipio?
(a) His student.
(b) Seneca's arch enemy.
(c) Another Roman philosopher.
(d) A renowned Roman general.

6. What does Seneca say that many people find attractive for the wrong reasons?
(a) Outward appearance.
(b) Politics.
(c) Religion.
(d) Philosophy.

7. To whom will a person who is well-acquainted with poetry or history often be impressive?
(a) To himself only.
(b) To the entire public.
(c) To the royalty.
(d) To the small-minded masses.

8. In Letter LXXXIII, whose logic does Seneca question?
(a) Plato's.
(b) Aristotle's.
(c) Zeno's.
(d) Sappho's.

9. According to Seneca, what is the fruit of man's own efforts?
(a) Peace between nations.
(b) Love.
(c) Philosophy.
(d) Life.

10. According to Stoic thought, what is the formless substance with "unlimited potential?"
(a) Matter.
(b) Mass.
(c) Cause.
(d) Reason.

11. According to Seneca, what often brings the most unusual tragedies?
(a) Freedom.
(b) Fortune.
(c) Emotion.
(d) Superstition.

12. Who especially does Seneca consider when he makes his move to the country?
(a) His wife.
(b) His mother.
(c) His father.
(d) Himself.

13. What is the unusual transgression about, ending Letter LXXXVI?
(a) Transplanting sheep organs.
(b) Transplanting human organs.
(c) Transplanting trees.
(d) Transplanting flowers.

14. What do the friends Seneca talks about in Letter LXV compare to concepts by Aristotle and Plato?
(a) Seneca's thoughts about death.
(b) The Stoic concept of causation.
(c) Arelius' thoughts about life.
(d) Zeno's concept of relationships.

15. Why does Seneca say he decided not to commit suicide?
(a) For his father's sake.
(b) He was too afraid.
(c) He fell in love with a woman.
(d) He snapped out of his depression.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Seneca give advice about coping with in Letter LXXVIII?

2. Who wrote the Iliad?

3. What does Scipio volunteer to do?

4. What does Seneca admit that he cares less about as he ages?

5. Who wrote the Aeneid?

(see the answer keys)

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