View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Laelius argue against the Stoics?
(a) That a man should not be upset by the death of a friend.
(b) That friendship is a transition in life.
(c) That materials bring happiness.
(d) That friends are material things.

2. Who reveals the structure of the universe to Scipio?
(a) Cicero.
(b) The elder Scipio.
(c) His grandfather.
(d) His grandmother.

3. What does Africanus encourage Scipio to focus on, in his dream?
(a) His perception.
(b) Heavenly reality.
(c) Oratory.
(d) Being a just and virtuous person.

4. What is Scipio mesmerized by the sight of?
(a) The oceans.
(b) Mercury.
(c) Earth.
(d) Mars.

5. Who does Laelius argue friendship is only possible for?
(a) Bad men.
(b) Women.
(c) Good men.
(d) Children.

6. What exists in the smallest sphere discussed in "The Dream of Scipio"?
(a) Cicero.
(b) The planets.
(c) God.
(d) Earth.

7. Where does Scipio go in his dream?
(a) A heavenly place.
(b) To give a speech.
(c) To France.
(d) On a rollercoaster.

8. What does Scipio desire in his dream?
(a) To join the afterlife.
(b) To become a ruler.
(c) To live forever.
(d) To never wake up.

9. What must the orator master?
(a) Thought.
(b) Science.
(c) The entire sphere of philosophy.
(d) Art.

10. What does Crassus compare oratory to?
(a) Theatre.
(b) Singing.
(c) Concerts.
(d) Legal practice.

11. What does Laelius reject about the restrictions of friendship?
(a) That the connection between friends is limited by its surroundings.
(b) That friendship has limits.
(c) That restrictions are necessary for friendship.
(d) All three theories suggested.

12. What do the younger men ask Crassus to tell them in "On the Orator"?
(a) The nature of oratory.
(b) The nature of art.
(c) How he became a polished orator.
(d) If they could be good orators.

13. According to Laelius, what is friendship in accord with?
(a) Religion.
(b) Nature.
(c) Love.
(d) Respect.

14. Where must Scipio's soul return, according to his dream?
(a) His country.
(b) The afterlife.
(c) Earth.
(d) His planet.

15. Why is friendship more potent that kinship, according to Laelius ?
(a) Friendship is natural.
(b) Kinship is forced.
(c) Kinship is unnatural.
(d) Kinship does not imply a non-physical bond.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Cicero hope to save through writing, "On the Orator"?

2. What does Africanus argue about God, in "The Dream of Scipio"?

3. When was Cicero's essay "Laelius: On Friendship" written?

4. What does "On The Orator "concern itself with?

5. What does reciprocity suggest about friendship, according to "Laelius: On Friendship"?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 439 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample