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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How tall is the woman that appears in Boethius' cell?
(a) Medium size, her arms could touch the ceiling.
(b) Very small, her head could not reach the table.
(c) Small, she could look Boethius in the eyes.
(d) Tall, her head could penetrate the heavens.

2. What does the woman praise Boethius for in Book 1?
(a) His look.
(b) His former life.
(c) His poetry.
(d) His business.

3. Who does the woman compare Boethius to?
(a) Alexander and Brutus.
(b) Nero and Caesar.
(c) Socrates and Plato.
(d) Anaxagoras and Socrates.

4. What should Boethius keep in mind concerning his money?
(a) How much he liked it.
(b) That his wife was using too much of it.
(c) How weak his hold on it was.
(d) That people were jealous of him.

5. What does Philosophy tell Boethius after giving her example of happiness?
(a) He should focus on his family.
(b) He should work on his book.
(c) He should focus on the good in his life.
(d) He should focus on revenge.

6. What does Boethius say of Philosophy's arguments?
(a) They do not apply to him.
(b) They are elegant.
(c) They are useless.
(d) They are weak.

7. What does the woman's bearing betray according to Boethius?
(a) How ancient she is.
(b) Who her parents are.
(c) Where she comes from.
(d) How young she is.

8. What does Philosophy tell Boethius about his situation?
(a) That it is time to stop moping.
(b) That he can cry all he wants.
(c) That it is time to try to think of his lasts words.
(d) That it is time to try to escape.

9. Why is the woman not able to help Boethius shortly after their meeting?
(a) He has no money to pay her.
(b) He talks too much.
(c) He does not talk.
(d) He is in jail.

10. Who were the two men the woman compares Boethius to persecuted by?
(a) The Roman senate.
(b) Gods and muses.
(c) Women.
(d) Simple minded men.

11. What does Philosophy say of Fortune?
(a) It is a muse.
(b) It is like a child.
(c) It is a monster.
(d) It is a friend.

12. What is the real cause of Boethius being miserable according to Philosophy?
(a) Himself.
(b) His enemies.
(c) Boethius' false beliefs.
(d) Fortune robbing him of his happiness.

13. What does Philosophy say about Boethius' feelings toward fortune at the start of Book II?
(a) That he is longing for it.
(b) His health.
(c) His comfort.
(d) That he hates it.

14. What does the woman disagree with Boethius about in Book 1?
(a) That the affairs of men are beyond Divine Providence.
(b) That the earth is flat.
(c) That God is all powerful.
(d) That he can't escape from prison.

15. What does Fortune take pleasure in according to Philosophy?
(a) Its own predictability.
(b) Its resourcefulness.
(c) Its greed.
(d) Its unreliability.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the woman say about Boethius' fall from his former heights?

2. Why does Philosophy praise Boethius' sons?

3. Why does the woman tell Boethius that he is responsible for his situation?

4. Why does Philosophy justify her saying that Boethius didn't lose anything?

5. What does Philosophy tell Boethius not do while she exposes her arguments in Book II?

(see the answer keys)

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