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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Zeus have to put aside in order to make a child?
(a) His cloak and dagger.
(b) His previous wife.
(c) His thunderbolt and grimness.
(d) His divinity and anger.

2. Erasmus states that jokes can be handled in such a way that a reader finds more reward in them than in a what?
(a) A riddle.
(b) An argument.
(c) A play.
(d) A treatise.

3. Which wise man was driven to drink hemlock because of wisdom?
(a) Aristotle.
(b) Plato.
(c) Augustine.
(d) Socrates.

4. Folly is the true bestower of what?
(a) Good things.
(b) Long life.
(c) Charm.
(d) Beauty.

5. According to Folly, what is the seed and source of all deeds which win praise?
(a) Vanity.
(b) Anger.
(c) War.
(d) Poverty.

6. In criticizing the men of his day, whom does Erasmus name?
(a) The pope.
(b) Several political leaders.
(c) No one.
(d) Thomas More.

7. Erasmus says he wants to survey the ridiculous rather than the what?
(a) Squalid.
(b) Innocent.
(c) Juvenile.
(d) Intelligent.

8. Erasmus follows the well-known popular proverb that states that a man should do what?
(a) Speak with false humility.
(b) Praise himself, if no one else will.
(c) Praise others before himself.
(d) Defame himself.

9. Folly considers emotions to be what in relation to wisdom?
(a) Deterrents.
(b) Slaves and subjects.
(c) Masters.
(d) Guides and incentives.

10. What does Folly say that babies have that rewards those who look after them?
(a) The charm of folly.
(b) Innocence.
(c) The beauty of Helen.
(d) The wisdom of folly.

11. According to the Prefatory Letter, Erasmus wrote The Praise of Folly on what?
(a) A stagecoach.
(b) A carriage.
(c) A boat.
(d) Horseback.

12. Erasmus believes he is not writing sarcasm, but what instead?
(a) Allegorical interpretation.
(b) Criticism and dissent.
(c) Warning and advice.
(d) Innocent jokes.

13. Who considers themselves gods on earth if they can use Greek words in their speeches?
(a) Rhetoricians.
(b) Professors.
(c) English.
(d) Sophists.

14. Who said, "Happy the states where either philosophers are kings or kings are philosophers"?
(a) Homer.
(b) Lucian.
(c) Plato.
(d) Aristotle.

15. What is the best name for those who are complete fools, but try to pass as wise men?
(a) Wisacres.
(b) Frauds.
(c) Foolish-wise.
(d) Hypocrites.

Short Answer Questions

1. Erasmus marvels that present-day ears can bear to hear only what?

2. Whom did the ancient sophists praise?

3. Which two nymphs nursed Folly?

4. According to Folly, who would be disagreeable and disliked if not graced by her divine powers?

5. Folly is in poor repute even amongst whom?

(see the answer keys)

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