Last Updated on March 1, 2025
CLT Verbal Reasoning Practice Test 3 – Philosophy/Religion. Prepare for the Classic Learning Test CLT Verbal Reasoning Practice Test 3 on Philosophy/Religion with timed questions, detailed answer explanations, and strategies to boost critical thinking and reading comprehension. Ace your exam.
CLT Verbal Reasoning Practice Test 3
Philosophy/Religion
This passage is adapted from Plato’s The Republic, first published around 375 BC and translated here by Benjamin Jowett.
According to the tradition, Gyges was a shepherd in the service of the king of Lydia; there was a great storm, and an earthquake made an opening in the earth at the place where he was feeding his flock. Amazed at the sight, he descended into the opening, where, among other marvels, he saw a gold ring; this he took and reascended.
Now the shepherds met together, according to custom, that they might send their monthly report about the flocks to the king; into their assembly he came having the ring on his finger, and as he was sitting among them he chanced to turn the collet of the ring inside his hand, when instantly he became invisible to the rest of the company and they began to speak of him as if he were no longer present.
He was astonished at this, and again touching the ring he turned the collet outwards and reappeared. He made several trials of the ring, and always with the same result—when he turned the collet inwards he became invisible, when outwards he reappeared. He contrived then to be chosen one of the messengers who were sent to the court. As soon as he arrived he slew the king and took the kingdom.
Suppose now that there were two such magic rings, and the just put on one of them and the unjust the other. No man can be imagined to be of such an iron nature that he would stand fast in justice. No man would keep his hands off what was not his own when he could safely take what he liked out of the market, or kill or release from prison whom he would, and in all respects be like a God among men. Then the actions of the just would be as the actions of the unjust; they would both come at last to the same point.
And this we may truly affirm to be a great proof that a man is just, not willingly or because he thinks that justice is any good to him individually, but of necessity, for wherever any one thinks that he can safely be unjust, there he is unjust. For all men believe in their hearts that injustice is far more profitable to the individual than justice, and he who argues as I have been supposing will say that they are right.
If you could imagine anyone obtaining this power of becoming invisible, and never doing any wrong or touching what was another’s, he would be thought by the lookers-on to be a most wretched idiot, although they would praise him to one another’s faces, and keep up appearances with one another from a fear that they too might suffer injustice.
This passage has been excerpted and adapted from the original, including minor punctuation changes, spelling changes, and other modifications that have not substantially changed content or intent.
21. The passage focuses mainly on which of the following?
A) The dangers of magical rings in criminals’ hands
B) The folly of a shepherd who wanted to become a king
C) The temptation of power and how it affects people
D) The lack of justice in a society that has become lawless
22. Which of the following is NOT one of the themes discussed in the passage?
A) Power
B) Justice
C) Ambition
D) Charity
23. Which of the following best describes the structure of the passage?
A) The passage opens with a story, then pivots to discuss the author’s personal experience, and ends with a suggestion.
B) The passage opens with a declaration, then describes a story, and ends with an appeal.
C) The passage opens with a hypothetical scenario, then offers a suggestion, and ends with an anecdote.
D) The passage opens with an anecdote, then offers a hypothetical, and ends with analysis.
24. According to the passage, where did Gyges find the ring?
A) In a riverbed
B) In an opening in the earth
C) In the woods
D) In the king’s own treasury
25. Based on the passage, what did Gyges do once he realized the powers of the ring?
A) He shared his newfound powers with his friends.
B) He robbed from the rich and gave to the poor.
C) He slew the king and took over the kingdom.
D) He withdrew from society and lived off of stole goods.
26. The author suggests which of the following?
A) When it comes to declarations of injustice, men can often act hypocritically.
B) Most people are just, no matter what temptations they face in life.
C) Only those who act justly will acquire power and riches.
D) Fairness is in the eye of the beholder and men must use every tool to their advantage.
27. Which lines in the passage best support the answer to the previous question?
A) Paragraph 4, Sentence 1 (“Suppose now . . . other”)
B) Paragraph 4, Sentence 4 (“Then the . . . point”)
C) Paragraph 5, Sentence 2 (“For all . . . right”)
D) Paragraph 6, Sentence 1 (“If you . . . injustice”)
28. In Paragraph 5, Sentence 2, the word “profitable” most closely means
A) commercial.
B) economical.
C) beneficial.
D) illuminating.
29. Gyges : king of Lydia ::
A) custom : assembly
B) leader : ring
C) shepherd : ruler
D) collet : invisibility
30. turning collet of ring inward : invisibility ::
A) slaying the king : justice
B) turning collet of ring outward : injustice
C) remorse : theft
D) power : corruption