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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Bede report Cuthbert used to cure a sick servant to a bodyguard of King Ecgfrith?
(a) A poltice delivered to him by an angel on horseback.
(b) Water he blessed.
(c) Prayer and fasting.
(d) A salve brought to him by two otters.

2. Why does Farmer credit this institution with the spread of monasteries in Ireland?
(a) Nobles would provide land and funding for construction of monasteries.
(b) Clergy would evangelize pagans who would give to support the construction of monasteries.
(c) When a family would convert to Christianity, it would remain together as a group and convert their homes into monasteries.
(d) The government would raise taxes to support the construction of monasteries.

3. Who does Farmer report to be the earliest monk of the British Isles?
(a) Cuthbert, a hermit of Lindisfarne.
(b) Ceolfrith, a monk of Wearmouth.
(c) Benedict, a Roman bishop.
(d) Brendan, an Irish monk.

4. What does Farmer claim draws readers across the ages to the lives profiled in "The Age of Bede"?
(a) The colorful detail with which the ancient times are reported.
(b) The mystical accounting of miracles.
(c) The accurate history of various leaders in the region.
(d) The ideals and the scale of values of "The Age of Bede's" great men.

5. Which Old Testament prophet does Bede first quote in the first paragraph of Chapter One?
(a) Elijah.
(b) Elisha.
(c) Jeremiah.
(d) Daniel.

6. How does Bede claim Christian converts profaned their faith in Chapter 9?
(a) With their ill-gotten gains.
(b) With their sloth.
(c) With their works.
(d) With the coarse language.

7. Who gave Wilfrid the monastery at Ripon according to Stephanus?
(a) Alhfrith.
(b) King Ecgfrith.
(c) King Oswiu.
(d) Bishop Winfrid.

8. Who does Bede claim first chastised Cuthbert for his idleness and his indulgences?
(a) A three-year-old child.
(b) A solemn old man.
(c) A neighbor who caught him in a prank.
(d) His maternal grandfather.

9. What kind of battles does Farmer report the church leaders in "The Age of Bede" fought?
(a) Physical battles against pagans seeking to dismantle Christian influences.
(b) Spiritual battles against invisible diabolical enemies.
(c) Political battles against corrupt kings.
(d) Economic battles against land owners who sought land on which churches were built.

10. Who does Stephanus report led a synod which was actually a trap to take the properties that were under Wilfrid's authority?
(a) Archdeacon Boniface.
(b) Pope Agatho.
(c) Archbishop Berhtwald.
(d) Bishop Colman.

11. For what two countries does Farmer claim "The Age of Bede" to be an important source of early Christian Church history?
(a) Ireland and The Netherlands.
(b) England and France.
(c) Rome and Ireland.
(d) England and Ireland.

12. What does Farmer claim to be the name of the author of the "Navigatio"?
(a) Eddius Stephanus.
(b) Unknown.
(c) Bede.
(d) Brendan.

13. Who was finally found to travel to St. Peter's with Wilfrid, according to Stephanus?
(a) Bishop Baducing.
(b) Archbishop Dalfinus.
(c) King Erconberht of Kent.
(d) Boniface the Archdeacon.

14. Where did Stephanus report Wilfrid first settled after being chased from his see?
(a) Friesland.
(b) Lichfield.
(c) Gaul.
(d) Wearmouth.

15. What miracle did Cuthbert perform when he brought the Holy Ghost to a village that could only provide tents for him and his retinue?
(a) He received wood from birds and animals to provide for a fire.
(b) He healed a blind man who shared his bread with them.
(c) With prayer he cured a boy that was dying.
(d) He fed the village a healthy stew made from nothing but a pot of water and three round stones.

Short Answer Questions

1. What term does Farmer use to identify a community of monks?

2. What did Bede claim to be Cuthbert's preoccupation when he was still eight years old?

3. Who did Bede report reviewed and revised his work?

4. Who does Farmer credit with writing the earliest "Life of Cuthbert"?

5. How does Bede claim Cuthbert kept birds from eating the barley crop he grew as he lived in isolation as a monk?

(see the answer keys)

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