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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is a major challenge in dealing with the topic addressed in Book Three?
(a) Understanding the difference between signs given to groups and signs given to individuals can only be achieved after study of the languages in which languages were written.
(b) Often figurative language is used to represent both God and angels and this language must be investigated in its original form, not translations.
(c) The meanings of Scriptural phrases that contain ambiguous signs can often be changed with misplaced punctuation.
(d) The sinful nature of the human filter can interfere with the interpretation of Scripture at any stage of investigation.

2. What are the primary possessions of the student of Scripture, according to Augustine in Book Two?
(a) Illuminated truth, the inner eye, and faith.
(b) Special gifts, things, and signs.
(c) Love, illuminated truth, and the inner eye.
(d) Faith, hope, and love.

3. According to Augustine, of the different forms through which the grammar types show themselves, which is, by definition, the most difficult to interpret?
(a) The catachresis because of its "misuse or strained use of words, as in a mixed metaphor, occurring either in error or for rhetorical effect."
(b) The riddle because it often requires an answer that was even hidden in the day it was given.
(c) The sarcasm because it is often undetectable unless the intended tone of the writer is examined.
(d) The poem because it relies heavily on metaphor, hyperbole, and enigma.

4. How does Augustine say a student should treat any evil actions or speech from characters Scriptures praise as holy?
(a) As a blasphemy against God and the character's holiness must be considered as revoked by God.
(b) As an announcement from God of impending judgment.
(c) They must be treated as a poor interpretation and a study of the language and history of the passage must be examined.
(d) As figurative language.

5. Based on the academic demands that Augustine places on his students, it is clear that Augustine believes what?
(a) That personal discipline and focusing on things outside of the body helps build chastity and humility.
(b) That learning as much as possible is the best way to separate the individual from the common population.
(c) That God is the master of all creation and language and the more you know of each the better you understand what God passed on in Scripture.
(d) That those who sought Augustine as a teacher will need to have conviction and determination to take on the challenges he puts before his students.

6. What does Augustine recommend as methods for handling the topic in Book Three?
(a) Seclusion from secular temptations to allow for the maturation of the "inner eye" as methods of handling the problem of book two.
(b) Theological virtue and great learning as methods of handling the problem of Book Two.
(c) Exclusive study of Scripture and submission to the proper guidance from church officials as methods of handling the problem of book two.
(d) Strict adherence to the dietary laws of Israel and understanding of prophecy as methods of handling the problem of book two.

7. What is an apparent contradiction regarding Augustine's expectation of students to interpretation and an omission from his commentaries in "On Christian Doctrine"?
(a) Augustine expects his students to investigate the intentions of the authors of Scripture, but he does not detail his intentions in choosing the issues on which he focuses.
(b) Augustine demands his students to spend time in seclusion and study, but does not call for the same from teachers.
(c) Augustine writes that the understanding of the principles of Christian love are sufficient to begin the interpretation of Scripture, but he spends more time examining Old Testament law.
(d) Augustine criticizes the Donatists yet he uses their theology on which to base "On Christian Doctrine."

8. What are the two different ways that God and angels speak in Scripture, as identified in Book Three?
(a) Of signs and things.
(b) With cruelty and kindness.
(c) Figuratively and literally.
(d) In spiritual terms and human terms.

9. What does Augustine identify as a necessary subject that a student must learn to understand Scripture?
(a) The working order of the Catholic Church to understand where to go for sound reference and guidance.
(b) Records of the Council of Trent to know the points of sound doctrine.
(c) The Apocrypha so the hidden meaning of Scriptural signs can be illuminated.
(d) The relevant languages and make all the translations he can find.

10. According to Augustine, how can signs become ambiguous?
(a) By being things that don't appear as signs.
(b) By containing misunderstood words or expressions.
(c) By being words that appear as things.
(d) By being used things that are also enjoyed.

11. According to Book Two, what is the most important knowledge a student of scripture can have?
(a) He must know how to use the inner eye.
(b) He must know the difference between things and signs.
(c) He must the difference between things that are used and things that are enjoyed.
(d) He must know the canon of Scripture well.

12. What is an important omission that Augustine commits as it applies to moral rules in Scripture?
(a) Augustine omits examples of grammatical forms from Scripture.
(b) Augustine omits standards for interpreting Scripture.
(c) Augustine does not guide students to understand whether the moral rules of Scripture are universal or particular.
(d) Augustine omits grammatical techniques for interpreting Scripture.

13. Even though Augustine does not mention this subject directly, what will his students need to master to understand languages?
(a) Metaphors.
(b) Regional accents.
(c) Dialects.
(d) Grammar.

14. What type of language from Scriptural characters must be taken literally, according to Augustine?
(a) Any speech or language that describes blessings for the chosen of God.
(b) Any speech or language that details the authority of God.
(c) Any speech or language that condemns evil and recommends love or kindness.
(d) Any speech or language that defines how a thing is a sign.

15. By the end of Book Two, Augustine devoted much of this text to refuting critics who believe Scriptural interpretation comes simply. What does this infer of Augustine's methods of debate?
(a) Augustine is obsessive and relentlessly badgers his critics into submission.
(b) Augustine confronts his critics with thorough investigation and lets his text prove his integrity.
(c) Augustine chooses to overwhelm his critics with so much information that they lose track of their arguments.
(d) Augustine is personally offended with critics and chooses to punish those who most support him.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Augustine state signs are regardless of whether they want to be?

2. What are the two different ways a Scriptural passage can be considered, according to Book Three?

3. What are some of the practices of these categories in which humans must not participate?

4. According to Augustine in Book Three, what is the purpose of Scripture in reporting the condition that affects holy men?

5. What are the mix of subjects that Augustine emphasizes in his education?

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