View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Philosophy find normal concerning the sudden turn of event in Boethius' life?
(a) That Boethius is sad.
(b) That Boethius is happy.
(c) That Boethius is crying.
(d) That Boethius is upset.

2. What was Boethius once, according to the woman?
(a) A merchant.
(b) A philosopher.
(c) A soldier.
(d) An admiral.

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

4. How was Boethius' life before prison?
(a) Full of hard manual work.
(b) Full of hatred.
(c) Boring.
(d) Comfortable.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the two main characteristics of Fortune's personality?

2. What did philosophy compel Boethius to always do?

3. What is the highest possible good according to Philosophy?

4. What type of man is unmoved by what happens to him, good or bad?

5. What was Boethius usually studying?

Short Essay Questions

1. What diagnosis does the Lady Philosophy make and what does she point out at the beginning of Book II?

2. What is significant about the clothing worn by the woman who enters Boethius' cell?

3. What is the significance of the woman's discussion with Boethius on blessings when Boethius complains about the tangibility of his pain?

4. Why does Boethius disagree with the woman regarding misery and what is her rebuttal?

5. Why does the woman urge Boethius to break his silence?

6. Why is the way that the woman describes Boethius' achievement in comparison to the world significant?

7. At the start of Book 1 of "The Consolation of Philosophy", where is Boethius and what is he doing?

8. What does the woman remind Boethius of in regards to the events and his attitude?

9. What does Lady Philosophy disagree with his view on providence at the end of Book 1?

10. According to Lady Philosophy, what was on loan to him and subject to being revoked?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 817 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample