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

Short Answer Questions

1. Upon what does Augustine reflect as to the nature of life and death?

2. What does Augustine say about people like his mother, Monica?

3. Why doesn't Ambrose want wine brought to the tombs?

4. What does Augustine call his living arrangement?

5. Besides thievery, in what is Augustine involved?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Augustine's thinking on marriage?

2. How does Monica feel about Augustine moving and how does he get around her?

3. What did Augustine write about that involved a theft of pears and how did he feel about it?

4. Where does Augustine want to move and why?

5. What intensifies as Augustine grows into a young man and of what type of behavior does he indulge?

6. What are Augustine's reflections on life and death?

7. What does Augustine believe about the men in the Bible and how does he apply that to people in general?

8. What does Augustine foreshadow about philosophy and himself?

9. What did Augustine wonder about in relationship to God and the world and what are a couple of the questions he asked?

10. What does Augustine fear about the effect of studying pagan myths when he was young?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Moses wrote down the Holy Scriptures, he had to make them understandable, says Augustine. Moses also needed them to convey a deeper meaning to scholars and truth-seekers. The simple people think of the story of creation in a simple way, which is literal and materialistic.

1. Do you believe scholars are better able to understand religious writings than lay people? Why or why not?

2. Explain a situation in which you have read something you didn't understand.

3. What do you think Augustine means by "literal and materialistic" in the above sentence?

Essay Topic 2

Augustine believes that the most of the men who play prominent roles in the Bible were not totally righteous. Discuss the following ideas:

1. What do you think the word "righteous" means within the context of this book?

2. Can an imperfect "messenger" deliver a "perfect" message?

3. Is it realistic to expect any human to be perfectly righteous?

Essay Topic 3

Augustine's struggles for self-development intensify as he reaches young manhood. He is sunk into sin and lustful behavior. This is the turning point in Augustine's narrative, since it sets up the conflict that will follow and must be resolved by him.

1. What do you think this statement (He is sunk into sin and lustful behavior) means? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Discuss what you believe Augustine's conflict was that he had to resolve.

3. Do you believe Augustine's behavior as a young man would be viewed in the same way in today's world? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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