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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Boethius say Philosophy's arguments do not soothe his pain?
(a) They arrive too late to help him.
(b) They are only words.
(c) They do not solve his problem of being in prison.
(d) His pain is too great.

2. What does Philosophy tell Boethius to be thankful for?
(a) That his mind is not bound by the walls around him.
(b) That she is here to keep him company.
(c) That his enemy will soon be dead.
(d) That Fortune allowed him to keep his wealth that long.

3. What does Philosophy tell Boethius concerning what he thinks about Fortune?
(a) He is right.
(b) He doesn't know what he is talking about.
(c) He is wrong.
(d) He is on the verge of finding how to control fortune.

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

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

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

7. What are the two main characteristics of Fortune's personality?
(a) Indifferent and chaotic.
(b) Introverted and fearful.
(c) Playful and revengeful.
(d) Confident and extroverted.

8. Who is seduced by the ups and downs of Fortune according to the woman?
(a) The foolish.
(b) Women only.
(c) Old people.
(d) Normal men.

9. What does Boethius sing about in his cell?
(a) The senate.
(b) God.
(c) The woman.
(d) Himself.

10. Who condemned the senate according to Boethius?
(a) Emperor Hadrian.
(b) Marc Antony.
(c) Julius Caesar.
(d) Cleopatra.

11. What does Philosophy reply when Boethius tells her that his pain is real and tangible?
(a) That she is not a doctor.
(b) That she has not gotten to the substance of her treatment.
(c) That she can heal him with her hands.
(d) That the spirit has power over the body.

12. What does Philosophy say of the wealth Fortune gives away?
(a) It is based on how good you are toward others.
(b) It is permanent.
(c) It is a loan.
(d) It is transmittable to your children.

13. What was Boethius usually studying?
(a) Various religions of the world.
(b) Perfect forms of government.
(c) Thermodynamics.
(d) Magnetism.

14. What does Philosophy think Boethius feels about fortune?
(a) That fortune did the right thing.
(b) That philosophy is a good friend.
(c) That fortune changed her attitude toward him
(d) That fortune is a good companion.

15. Why does the woman share Boethius' cell?
(a) Because she never abandons a student.
(b) Because she likes enclosed spaces.
(c) Because she needs to talk.
(d) Because she likes him.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Philosophy say no-one can truly be happy in life?

2. What does Philosophy tell Boethius to make her point about fortune?

3. What protects Boethius from his persecutors according to the woman?

4. What is the real cause of Boethius being miserable according to Philosophy?

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

(see the answer keys)

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