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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. How does Augustine define formlessness?

2. Who is buried near the Tiber River?

3. What does Augustine want to measure?

4. What indicates that Augustine is not quite ready to fully embrace the way of being a priest of Christianity?

5. How can memory make you unhappy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Victorinus and what has he done in his life?

2. What does Augustine think of the term formless matter?

3. By the beginning of Book VII, how does Augustine begin to think of God?

4. Explain why Augustine rejects astrology.

5. What does Augustine say about formlessness?

6. What does Augustine think about the Manicheans and why is he angry at them?

7. What does Augustine say is the use of the senses in dealing with time?

8. What is the story Augustine hears from Ponticianus and what does the story do to Augustine?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In book V, Augustine wants to move to Rome, in Italy. He hears that the students are much more disciplined there. In Carthage, students would walk in and out of class during a lecture and certain students would be very disruptive. Augustine hears that this type of behavior is not tolerated at schools in Rome.

1. Compare and contrast students in that age to those in the present day.

2. What do you think it means to be a "student?" Give examples and think about this idea "outside the box." Can you relate your ideas to Augustine as a student?

3. What do you think it means to be a "teacher?" Give examples and think about this idea "outside the box." Can you relate your ideas to Augustine as a teacher?

Essay Topic 2

Augustine urges the church faithful to be righteous and to do good deeds, but not as a substitute for their faith. Their faith must be shown by their good deeds, and at the same time these good deeds must reflect their faith. This statement is a paradox.

1. Why do you think this statement could be classified as a paradox?

2. What do you think Augustine means by the statement above?

Essay Topic 3

In Book III, Augustine wonders on the lack of even the basic morality of observance of the Ten Commandments in his vicinity.

1. Of what do you think Augustine believes basic morality consists? Give examples from the text and your personal experience.

2. Do you think Augustine sees a lack of morals because he himself suffers from that lack? In other words, is Augustine projecting his own lack of morals on those around him? Why or why not?

3. Research the ten commandments and choose the two you think Augustine has the most difficulty at this point in his life keeping. What are they? Give examples to demonstrate why you think he does not keep those commandments.

(see the answer keys)

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