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

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

3. According to Seneca in Letter XXXIII, what does Stoic writing generally lack?
(a) Punctuation.
(b) Quotable quotes.
(c) Grammatical errors.
(d) Use of Latin.

4. Who is chastised in Letter III for not discussing his personal matters?
(a) Seneca.
(b) Lucilius.
(c) Plato.
(d) Vatia.

5. Which philosopher does Seneca quote in Letter II despite the fact that he does not particularly like him?
(a) Epicurus.
(b) Zeno.
(c) Plato.
(d) Aristotle.

Short Answer Questions

1. How long does it take Seneca to read the book he mentions in Letter XLVI?

2. According to Seneca, who will spend his time either alone or in the company of those he knows are capable of improving him?

3. According to Seneca, what creates anxiety?

4. What kind of ailments does Seneca say are not as obvious as they worsen?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Seneca's thoughts on fear and how to eliminate it from life?

2. Why didn't the Stoics write a lot of quotable quotes for students to memorize? What is his opinion about quotable quotes?

3. What does Seneca say about developing friendships?

4. What is Seneca's thoughts on the phrase "cheerful poverty?"

5. How does noise affect Seneca's studies and how does his explanation become a metaphor for the Stoic soul?

6. What is Seneca's opinion of Vatia? How does it differ from public opinion?

7. Explain the importance to occasional fasting according to Seneca.

8. What is the appeal of a slow death for Stoics? What does Seneca believe happens after death?

9. In Letter II, how does Seneca advise Lucilius to proceed with his study of philosophy?

10. According to Seneca, how should a wise man deal with grief itself?

(see the answer keys)

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