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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What, according to Machiavelli, is better than actually having all the good qualities of leadership?
(a) Never forgetting anything said in the past.
(b) Really understanding the problems of the people.
(c) Keeping all promises.
(d) Having the appearance of being religious.

2. Why does Machiavelli insist that a prince recalled by the people after being conquered offers him no security?
(a) It is probably only a stop-gap moment.
(b) It does not depend upon the prince himself for success.
(c) It is only a last ditch effort at establishing the dominion.
(d) It is noble and, therefore, weak.

3. How does Machiavelli justify his position that a prince is not duty bound to keep his word?
(a) He says men are basically self-centered and will not keep their word, so the prince is not obligated to do so.
(b) He says it is the only way to keep the people satisfied that he knows what he is doing.
(c) He says that people always believe everything a prince says, so he can say what he pleases.
(d) He says that a prince should always change his mind about everything until he gets all the facts.

4. Although Machiavelli says that Pope Julius II was impetuous in all he did, still he succeeded. Why?
(a) He relied on God to keep him safe.
(b) Fate caused many changes during his time.
(c) Because of his successes, he always looked for new ways of doing things.
(d) His actions fit the times.

5. Who does Machiavelli single out as a prince who was always prepared for war?
(a) Ramses II
(b) The sons of Sforza, Duke of Milan
(c) Philopoemonm, Prince of the Achaians
(d) Xenophon

6. What does Machiavelli suggest is wrong with concepts of an ideal princedom or republic.
(a) It has no basis in reality.
(b) More people have not considered the concepts.
(c) It is not useful as a mental exercise.
(d) It can only be accomplished by a pure leader.

7. How is a prince ultimately judged?
(a) By his years as a prince.
(b) By the mob.
(c) By his results.
(d) By his wealth and grandeur.

8. How does Machiavelli say a prince should keep the attention of the people?
(a) By using his nobles to speak to the people.
(b) By keeping a low profile.
(c) By taking bold actions.
(d) By explaining everything to the people.

9. What dichotomy does Machiavelli present regarding goodness and vices in a prince?
(a) His goodness may lead to his downfall whereas his vices may sometimes keep him safe.
(b) Goodness will preserve his princedom while vices will bring his downfall.
(c) People see goodness as weakness and vices as strengths.
(d) Vices can be balanced out by the amount of fear they generate.

10. What is Machiavelli's advice about people who do things that ultimately enrich the princedom?
(a) They should be viewed with suspicion.
(b) They should be amply rewarded.
(c) Their property should be confiscated.
(d) They should be taxed heavier than others.

11. What does Machiavelli mean when he says "impetuousness is better than calculation"?
(a) Young men are too cautious to be successful.
(b) Old men are usually more daring and agressive in their actions.
(c) Fortune admits more readily to boldness than to calculation.
(d) Calculation enables one to do innovative things.

12. When does Machiavelli say a prince should be thinking most about military strategy?
(a) On hunting expeditions.
(b) When he visits another prince.
(c) During times of peace.
(d) When he is being invaded.

13. What does the prince gain from rewarding his ministers well for jobs well done?
(a) He gets time to look around for new ministers who are not so dangerous.
(b) He gets losts of gifts from those ministers who become wealthy.
(c) He gets a percentage of all those ministers make from taking bribes.
(d) He gets their support without fear of their trying to overthrow him.

14. Who does Machiavelli assign blame to when a prince loses his dominion?
(a) The fickleness of the people.
(b) The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
(c) The prince himself.
(d) The nobility.

15. Why does Machiavelli say that the sultans of Turkey and Egypt had to listen more to the military than to the people?
(a) Their countries were controlled by the military.
(b) The best people were in their militaries.
(c) The people did not understand the threats of invasion.
(d) All the men were drafted into the military.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the advantage of being miserly?

2. Who can successfully gain the reputation for generosity but not ruin himself in the process?

3. When rule by law is ineffective, what does Machiavelli advise the prince to use?

4. What does Machiavelli say the new prince can least afford?

5. What is the best type of mind Machiavelli says is needed for a strong prince?

(see the answer keys)

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