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Quiz about The Art Of War
Quiz about The Art Of War

The Art Of War Trivia Quiz


Sun Tzu's masterpiece of strategy is still classified as the definitive piece of war literature. How much do you know of this "artful" work?

A multiple-choice quiz by Rage_of_Twitch. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
127,562
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
15
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
8 / 15
Plays
394
- -
Question 1 of 15
1. When was "The Art Of War" written? Hint


Question 2 of 15
2. Chapter I: "Estimates" - Which one is NOT a virtue of a general? Hint


Question 3 of 15
3. Chapter II: "Waging War" - Why do troops slay the enemy? Hint


Question 4 of 15
4. Chapter III: "Offensive Strategy" - What is of supreme importance in war? Hint


Question 5 of 15
5. Chapter IV: "Dispositions" - Which of the following is an element of war? Hint


Question 6 of 15
6. Chapter V: "Energy" - What type of force should be used in engaging, and what type in winning? Hint


Question 7 of 15
7. Chapter VI: "Weaknesses and Strengths" - Those skilled in war do what to the enemy on the field of battle? Hint


Question 8 of 15
8. Chapter VII: "Manoevre" - War is based on what? Hint


Question 9 of 15
9. Chapter VIII: "The Nine Variables" - What is NOT a dangerous quality in a general? Hint


Question 10 of 15
10. Chapter IX: "Marches" - When an advancing enemy crosses water, what should you do? Hint


Question 11 of 15
11. Chapter X: "Terrain" - When the officers are valiant and the troops ineffective, the army is... Hint


Question 12 of 15
12. Chapter XI: "The Nine Varieties Of Ground" - The troops of those adept at war are used like the "Spontaneously Responding" what type of animal? Hint


Question 13 of 15
13. Chapter XII: "Attack By Fire" - All fire attacks depend on what? Hint


Question 14 of 15
14. Chapter XIII: "Employment Of Secret Agents" - Which is NOT one of the five types of secret agents that can be employed? Hint


Question 15 of 15
15. What is the one aspect of war that Sun Tzu does NOT refer to in "The Art Of War"? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. When was "The Art Of War" written?

Answer: c. 500 B.C.

Although an exact date is cloudy, Sun Tzu's work is generally accepted to have been written around 500 B.C. and is still considered the definitive work on strategy, even in modern times.
2. Chapter I: "Estimates" - Which one is NOT a virtue of a general?

Answer: Leadership

Although leadership is an obvious choice for a general or any leader of an army, it is not one of the virtues ascribed by Sun Tzu. The five virtues of a general are: Wisdom, Sincerety, Humanity, Courage, and Strictness.
3. Chapter II: "Waging War" - Why do troops slay the enemy?

Answer: They are enraged

The lowest common denominator seems to be the reason behind brutal attacks on an enemy. When T'ien Tan's troops butchered their prisoners, he knew they were ready for battle, and devastated Yen, his enemy.
4. Chapter III: "Offensive Strategy" - What is of supreme importance in war?

Answer: Attack the enemy's strategy

To be able to win a war without fighting is the pinnacle of skill. By resolving difficulties before they occur and attacking plans at their inception, you are able to limit or even completely eliminate your enemy's options, ensuring a victory.
5. Chapter IV: "Dispositions" - Which of the following is an element of war?

Answer: Calculations

The elements of war are: measurement of space (on the ground), estimation of quantities (of the enemy), calculations (degree of difficulty getting to the enemy), comparisons (of other victories), and chances of victory (based on all other calculations).
6. Chapter V: "Energy" - What type of force should be used in engaging, and what type in winning?

Answer: Normal to engage, extraordinary to win

While engaging the enemy, strategy and regular power is needed, but to ensure victory, extraordinary power is required to vanquish and conquer.
7. Chapter VI: "Weaknesses and Strengths" - Those skilled in war do what to the enemy on the field of battle?

Answer: They bring the enemy to the field of battle

It is always advantageous to bring the enemy to the field of battle. When you do, you have begun to already dictate his movements, which allows for your strategy to take shape.
8. Chapter VII: "Manoevre" - War is based on what?

Answer: Deception

By use of misinformation, spies, and rapid changes in the situation, the main goal is to make your opponent believe the opposite of what you intend.
9. Chapter VIII: "The Nine Variables" - What is NOT a dangerous quality in a general?

Answer: Fear

Fear is always present, but to persevere in the face of fear is courage; to allow it to make you hesitate is cowardice. The five dangerous qualities of a general are: Recklessness, Cowardice, Quick-temperment, a delicate sense of honor, and Compassion.
10. Chapter IX: "Marches" - When an advancing enemy crosses water, what should you do?

Answer: Allow some of the force to cross, then strike

By letting half of the force cross, then striking, you keep the advantage of staying on ground, but attack before they can re-establish order or formations.
11. Chapter X: "Terrain" - When the officers are valiant and the troops ineffective, the army is...

Answer: In distress

If the troops are weak, the efforts of the officers will be in vain. Any orders given may be strategically beneficial, but without an effective army to carry them out, they will fall into chaos.
12. Chapter XI: "The Nine Varieties Of Ground" - The troops of those adept at war are used like the "Spontaneously Responding" what type of animal?

Answer: Snake

Constant attacks even while being attacked are the basis for this analogy. Although a scorpion would seem to make more sense, the snake is used so that when the tail is attacked, the head strikes; when struck on the head, the tail attacks; and when struck in the middle, both head and tail attack.
13. Chapter XII: "Attack By Fire" - All fire attacks depend on what?

Answer: Weather conditions

Hot, scorching days are the best times to attack by fire. Also, wind conditions, snow, rain, and a myriad of other weather conditions can affect fire attacks. Sun Tzu says you should only attack with fire on suitable times to ensure an effective attack.
14. Chapter XIII: "Employment Of Secret Agents" - Which is NOT one of the five types of secret agents that can be employed?

Answer: Outside

The five types of agents that you can employ are: Native (agents from the enemy's country), Inside (enemy officials), Doubled (enemy spies), Expendable (your own spies that are sacrificed with false information), and Living (spies who have returned with accurate information).
15. What is the one aspect of war that Sun Tzu does NOT refer to in "The Art Of War"?

Answer: Cavalry

Cavalry was not a branch of any Chinese army until around 320 BC when King Wu Ling of Chao State introduced it. Therefore, it does not merit even a passing mention in Sun Tzu's work.
Source: Author Rage_of_Twitch

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