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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 do men receive reflected wisdom from God?

2. What does Simplicianus tell Augustine Victorinus does before his recent passing?

3. What is an argument that Augustine learns from his friend Nebridius?

4. Into what can the devil make himself?

5. With what word in the scriptures is Augustine particularly fascinated?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Augustine say about writing his confession?

2. What does Augustine say about memory?

3. Explain why Augustine rejects astrology.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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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