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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Letter 8, Abelard to Heloise.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the logic behind Heloise's request to Abelard?
(a) The weak cannot bear the same burdens as the strong.
(b) The strong should try to strengthen the weak to bear more burdens.
(c) The weak should be just as burdened as the strong.
(d) The weak should be able to bear the same burdens as the strong.

2. What does Abelard ask Heloise to do if he is killed?
(a) Embalm him.
(b) Cremate him.
(c) Bless him.
(d) Bury him.

3. What does Abelard mean to indicate by the example of the Sibyl's prophecies?
(a) Women honored among Gentiles.
(b) Women who paid a price for falling away from priesthood.
(c) Honored women in antiquity.
(d) Women who implemented church doctrine.

4. What does Heloise say Abelard should not have done for her sake?
(a) Married her.
(b) Taken up scriptural studies.
(c) Sent her away.
(d) Left philosophy.

5. What does Heloise ask Abelard to think about?
(a) What she can do for him.
(b) Whether they ought to see each other again.
(c) What her father can do for them.
(d) What he owes her.

Short Answer Questions

1. What should the practice of silence result in, according to Abelard?

2. What explanation does Abelard offer for his action?

3. What does Abelard ask Heloise to consider?

4. What does Letter 7 describe to Heloise?

5. What does Abelard say he is correcting with the life of silence?

(see the answer key)

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