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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Philosophy tell Boethius not do while she exposes her arguments in Book II?
(a) Run away.
(b) Be happy.
(c) Be destitute.
(d) Pay attention.

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

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the woman share Boethius' cell?

2. What does Philosophy tell Boethius about his situation?

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

4. What does Fortune take pleasure in according to Philosophy?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What is significant about conscience in Book 1?

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

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

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

5. What does the woman tell Boethius regarding his suffering?

6. What is the significance of the title, "The Consolation of Philosophy"?

7. Who does the woman compare herself to and what is her identity?

8. What does Boethius believe about happiness, according to Book II and how does this relate to Christian thinking?

9. Why would Boethius choose not to mention the Bible in "The Consolation of Philosophy"?

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

(see the answer keys)

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