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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. What does the faithful begin doing under the guidance of Ambrose?

2. What does Augustine want to measure?

3. What phrase does Augustine use as an example of different interpretations?

4. How can memory make you unhappy?

5. Who is Simplicianus?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Augustine describe wisdom?

2. What happened at the church in Milan and what Christian tradition was started there?

3. What does Augustine say about his mother's upbringing and some of her behaviors as a married woman?

4. Discuss the idea Augustine had about the beginning of all and on time.

5. What does Augustine decide to do by the end of Book VII and how does his mother feel about his decision?

6. What does Augustine say about memory?

7. What does Augustine say about music and pleasure?

8. What does Augustine decide to do at the beginning of Book IX? How does he do it?

9. What is Alypius' view of Jesus and what is Augustine's?

10. How does Augustine see evil?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is no harm in having different interpretations of the Scriptures, at least as long as various heresies are avoided, according to Augustine. If two people both believe in the word of God, it can even be fruitful to have a debate about different interpretations of the Scriptures.

1. Why do you think different people have different interpretations of religious writings?

2. Do you think different interpretations of writings apply to writings other than religious ones? Explain your reasoning.

3. Discuss the problem with language and why it might lead to different interpretations of the same writings.

Essay Topic 2

In Book IX, Augustine is still angry with the Manicheans, because for so long he used their excuse of a man's soul being divided between a soul of darkness and a soul of light. Now, Augustine sees that all of his actions are his soul's responsibility. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Augustine is finally "growing up" when he realizes he is responsible for the choices he makes? Why or why not?

2. Do you think that the people who are influenced by others to commit immoral or evil acts are ultimately responsible for their own actions?

3. What about evil actions that a person commits in order to save his/her own life? Is there any justification for those choices a person might make?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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