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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What often happens to Captains who see a tactical error committed by their enemies?
(a) They are overly cautious and bring defeat.
(b) They are blinded by the desire for victory.
(c) They take the steps to assure victory.
(d) They move into passes and ambush the enemy.

2. Who were the two Roman Consuls whose tactics Machiavelli compares as an example of how Princes can take what belongs to another?
(a) Fabius and Junius.
(b) Claudius and Brutus.
(c) Decius and Fabius.
(d) Decius and Octavius.

3. Why does Machiavelli consider men prudent for considering the proverb he cites at the beginning of Book 2, Section 49?
(a) Because Machiavelli believes, "only the fool says there is no God."
(b) Because Machiavelli believes, "for all the things of the world in every time have had the very resemblance as those of ancient times.
(c) Because Machiavelli believes, "Men are too quick to neglect the achievements of their fathers."
(d) Because Machiavelli believes, "It is better to know where you have been to know what direction you are going."

4. What does Machiavelli consider to be a great sign of weakness in Republic?
(a) When it provides money to other cities that are weaker than it.
(b) When it uses diplomatic skill to cajole the support of other Republics.
(c) When it continually keeps armies out of fear of other Republics.
(d) When it relies on war to gain new territory.

5. What phrase could summarize what Livius' details as qualifications for an effective Captain.
(a) His men hate his personality but love his tactics.
(b) He earns animosity in training but trust in battle.
(c) His wisdom is established by his deceptions.
(d) He leads by deeds and not words.

6. What does Machiavelli consider necessary to take control over a Republic to install a bad form of government over it?
(a) Bad administrators.
(b) Leaders who are irresolute in their decisions.
(c) Bad Captains.
(d) People corrupted by the times.

7. According to Machiavelli, what is the sign of a truly powerful Republic?
(a) It has the wealth to buy other lands.
(b) It has the diplomatic skill to cajole the support of other Republics.
(c) It does not take land or gain support with money, but through the virtue of its army and war.
(d) It can intimidate other Cities to become part of it without fighting battles.

8. What does Machiavelli name as the reason that good men cannot accomplish good for his country?
(a) They are at war.
(b) Incompetence.
(c) The lack of methods to pass down customs.
(d) Envy of other men.

9. In the comparison between the tactics of Scipio and Hannibal, what does Machiavelli consider to be praiseworthy?
(a) Success.
(b) Feigned foolishness.
(c) Surprise.
(d) New uses of artillery.

10. What does Machiavelli claim that prudent men usually say?
(a) "Only God knows the future and I am not God;..."
(b) "The only thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history..."
(c) "You have a reference to analyze the past, but none such for the future;..."
(d) "Whoever wants to see what is to be, considers what has been;...."

11. What does Machiavelli advise Princes in observing promises made under force?
(a) That they are not to be observed when the force is removed.
(b) To observe them without reservation as they put themselves in the situation due to incompenence.
(c) To deceive the party who forces the promise until they can make alliances that will defeat him.
(d) To observe them until which time they can fight for freedom.

12. Why does Machiavelli claim that Princes should not complain of faults of People under their authority?
(a) Because the insults will encourage conspiracy.
(b) Because doing so will blind the Prince to conspiracy.
(c) Because the People will become indignant of the criticism.
(d) Because such faults result either from their negligence or because they are stained by similar faults.

13. How does the institution that makes men "harsh or effeminate" influence them, according to Machiavelli?
(a) Because, "The Senate either deliberates or declares war."
(b) Because, "The magistrates either declare punishments or delays judgment."
(c) Because, "It is very important that a young man of tender years begins to hear the good and bad of a thing."
(d) Because, "The Plebs either prepare for virtus of war or fall to corruption."

14. Why does Machiavelli consider the public a better judge than Princes for who should occupy public offices.
(a) Because the public is swayed by true Nobility.
(b) Because Princes are too easily distracted by women.
(c) Because the public is guided by what others say of a candidate beyond publicly known acts.
(d) Because Princes play favorites.

15. What does Machiavelli praise of the ancient Roman battlefield tactics?
(a) The ability of the three divisions to outman enemies and scare them from the battlefields.
(b) The fierceness of the soldiers to dictate the terms of every battle.
(c) The ability of the first division to puncture enemy lines so the second and third divisions can over run the command centers.
(d) The ability of the second and third divisions to absorb fallen lines ahead of them and proceed in battle.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli recommend as the three ways to restore a divided city?

2. How does Machiavelli advise a Captain to consider a tactical error by an enemy?

3. What does Machiavelli claim causes men to conspire against their target?

4. What does Machiavelli claim to be the conduct of excellent and courageous men whether they experience good fortune or bad?

5. Why does Machiavelli advise Captains to use new things at the time that he does?

(see the answer keys)

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