View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where did Socrates' dialogue with Crito take place?

2. When did Socrates' dialogue with Crito take place?

3. What did Socrates say about the laws of the land during his conversation with Crito?

4. How was Socrates executed?

5. What did Crito want Socrates to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were the ancient Greeks' beliefs regarding the afterlife?

2. Why is Socrates' execution delayed?

3. What does Tarrant use as an example to illustrate the differences in mentality, in this section, regarding death and suicide?

4. What is the intended audience for Book 5?

5. What does Socrates think will happen after his death?

6. What is written in Book 5, Chapter 1, about risking the loss of one's life?

7. What is the setting of Book 4?

8. What realization does Socrates have as a result of his and Phaedo's debate with Simmias and Cebes?

9. What does Crito want Socrates to do?

10. What new habit do Socrates' friends discover in the "Phaedo"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Socrates denies the accusation that he tries to teach; he claims that he is only an ignorant man who is inquisitive in an effort to gain knowledge. How sincere do you think his profession of ignorance is? Do you think he really believes it? Or is it simply an effort to circumvent the pride of learned men and get them to talk to him, even though he is challenging their beliefs? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Many of the dialogues have to do with the concept of epistemology. What is epistemology? What does it have to do with philosophy? Why is it important? Why did Socrates concern himself with it? Are they ever able to reach a definitive conclusion? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Truth is an important concept in "The Last Days of Socrates." According to the theories presented in the text, what is truth? How does one find truth? Is it possible to know truth, with certainty, when one finds it? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 752 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample