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Quiz about The Art of War The Classic Book of Life

"The Art of War": The Classic Book of Life Quiz

Sun-Tzu's, "The Art of War" is fundamental in understanding the enemy. How much do you know about the strategy of life and war? All questions and answers come from "The Art of War" translated by John Minford, 2002.

A multiple-choice quiz by erin76. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
erin76

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
235,267

Updated
Feb 17 22

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
9 / 15

Plays
201

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Sun-Tzu outlines "Five Fundamentals" which are for the making of comparisons and the assessing of conditions. Which of these is NOT one of the "Five Fundamentals"? Hint

Heaven and Earth

The Way

Command and Discipline

Leadership

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Question 2 of 15

2. According to Sun-Tzu, what is the best way to be victorious? Hint

Seige a city

No battle at all

Completely destory an army

Retreat

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Question 3 of 15

3. In war, what is the best way to fight if you outnumber the enemy ten to one, in the opinion of Sun-Tzu? Hint

Attack in full force

Let the enemy retreat

Lie low and wait for the enemy to attack

Surround the enemy

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Question 4 of 15

4. If you know yourself but do not know the enemy, you will win every battle. Does Sun-Tzu make this statement?

Yes

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Question 5 of 15

5. According to Sun-Tzu, simulated weakness is based on what? Hint

Fear

Strength

All of these are correct

Courage

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Question 6 of 15

6. According to Sun-Tzu, war is founded on deception. What is movement determined by? Hint

Equipment

The terrain

Advantage

The weather

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Question 7 of 15

7. If one tactic has brought victory before, the best thing, according to Sun-Tzu, is to repeat that same tactic.

True

False

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Question 8 of 15

8. The concept of confronting chaos with discipline, and treating tumult with calm is called what? Hint

Mastery of Spirit

Mastery of Mind

Mastery of Strength

Mastery of Change

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Question 9 of 15

9. There are five pitfalls for a general. Which one of these is NOT a pitfall described by Sun-Tzu? Hint

Arrogance

Cowardice

A concern for his men

Recklessness

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Question 10 of 15

10. What does Sun-Tzu say you should do in a deadlock, where no side finds it advantageous to move? Hint

Lure the enemy out by retreating

Strike unexpectedly

Reinforce your position

Wait the enemy out

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Question 11 of 15

11. What does Sun-Tzu say will be the result when common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak? Hint

Chaos

Insubordination

Flight

Decay

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Question 12 of 15

12. If an engagement is sure to bring victory, yet the ruler forbids it, Sun-Tzu says that the answer is to fight anyway.

True

False

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Question 13 of 15

13. What does Sun-Tzu say is the best way to confront a large enemy? Hint

Immediately kill their commanding officer

Attack at night

Seize something he cherishes

Send a spy in and cause dissemination

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Question 14 of 15

14. Sun-Tzu does not believe espionage leads to victory.

True

False

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Question 15 of 15

15. Sun-Tzu lists five ways to attack by fire. Which of these is not a way? Hint

Burn lines of communication

Burn men directly

Burn the city down

Burn supplies and equipment

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Sun-Tzu outlines "Five Fundamentals" which are for the making of comparisons and the assessing of conditions. Which of these is NOT one of the "Five Fundamentals"?

Answer: Leadership

"The Way" refers to Taoism, the ancient Chinese philosophy outlined in the famous book, "Tao Te Ching" by Lao-Tzu. "Heaven" refers to Yin/Yang. "Earth" refers to the terrain. "Command" is the wisdom and integrity of the leader. "Discipline" is a set of core principles to live by.

2. According to Sun-Tzu, what is the best way to be victorious?

Answer: No battle at all

Sun-Tzu says these things: "Always take an army intact rather than destroy it. The lowest form of war is siege warfare. Ultimate excellence lies in defeating the enemy without ever fighting."

3. In war, what is the best way to fight if you outnumber the enemy ten to one, in the opinion of Sun-Tzu?

Answer: Surround the enemy

When both sides are evenly matched, surround him on all four sides. This way the enemy cannot escape or receive reinforcements.

4. If you know yourself but do not know the enemy, you will win every battle. Does Sun-Tzu make this statement?

Answer: No

Those who know the self but not the enemy will suffer one defeat for every victory. Those who do not know the self or the enemy will fail in every battle. Know the enemy as you know yourself, and victory is never in doubt.

5. According to Sun-Tzu, simulated weakness is based on what?

Answer: Strength

Acting weak in order to make the enemy over confident requires that you have tremendous strength.

6. According to Sun-Tzu, war is founded on deception. What is movement determined by?

Answer: Advantage

Only move when there is an advantage. It is better to stay in one place than make a futile attack.

7. If one tactic has brought victory before, the best thing, according to Sun-Tzu, is to repeat that same tactic.

Answer: False

Sun-Tzu says: "Do not repeat the tactics which have gained victory. Let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances."

8. The concept of confronting chaos with discipline, and treating tumult with calm is called what?

Answer: Mastery of Mind

The "Mastery of Mind" allows one to remain calm in the midst of chaotic events. Remaining calm in the face of adversity allows the mind to concentrate more on the strategy of winning.

9. There are five pitfalls for a general. Which one of these is NOT a pitfall described by Sun-Tzu?

Answer: Arrogance

The five pitfalls are: recklessness, cowardice, a hot temper, a delicacy of honor, and a concern for his men. A general who is overly compassionate and filled with concern for his men will be prevented from fighting by his fear of casualties.

10. What does Sun-Tzu say you should do in a deadlock, where no side finds it advantageous to move?

Answer: Lure the enemy out by retreating

If the enemy refuses to move, pretend to retreat and lure him out. When half of his troops are out, that is the moment to strike.

11. What does Sun-Tzu say will be the result when common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak?

Answer: Insubordination

If the commanding officers are weak, soldiers will not respect them and will readily disobey orders.

12. If an engagement is sure to bring victory, yet the ruler forbids it, Sun-Tzu says that the answer is to fight anyway.

Answer: True

The decisions of the commander of the army are absolute. A war should not be fought from a palace.

13. What does Sun-Tzu say is the best way to confront a large enemy?

Answer: Seize something he cherishes

This can refer to seizing a strategic advantage which the enemy depends on. Or it can refer to any person or thing of importance to the enemy. One should begin by debilitating the enemy rather than by accepting a direct engagement.

14. Sun-Tzu does not believe espionage leads to victory.

Answer: False

Armies may face each other for years, striving for victory which can be decided in a single day. Because of this, spies are necessary in assessing the enemy's position.

15. Sun-Tzu lists five ways to attack by fire. Which of these is not a way?

Answer: Burn the city down

The proper season for attacking with fire is when it is hot and dry. The proper days to fight with fire are when the moon is in Sagittarius, Pegasus, Crater, or Corvus. These are the four constellations of the rising wind.

Source: Author erin76

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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