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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Abelard say was the consequence of his lust for Heloise?
(a) He forgot his duties as a teacher.
(b) He defiled her soul.
(c) He lost his reverence for God.
(d) He betrayed her father's trust.

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

3. What does Abelard say motivated him to tell Heloise the things that filled her with despair?
(a) Desire to share in suffering out of love.
(b) Desire for God's forgiveness.
(c) Desire to fill her soul with awe and desire for repentance.
(d) Desire to educate her about man's wicked ways.

4. How does Heloise describe herself to Abelard?
(a) The most irreligious woman.
(b) The luckiest of women.
(c) The most wretched of women.
(d) The most hypocritical woman.

5. What was Abelard's father's plan for Abelard?
(a) Trades.
(b) Government work.
(c) Learning.
(d) Art.

6. What does Heloise say she admires?
(a) The honesty with which Abelard followed philosophy.
(b) The debt Abelard took upon himself.
(c) The courage Abelard showed by fighting for her.
(d) The things Abelard sacrificed to be with her.

7. What does Abelard say he wants as an outcome of others' prayers?
(a) Forgiveness.
(b) Understanding.
(c) To survive.
(d) Justice.

8. What does Heloise say men say about her?
(a) That she is chaste.
(b) That she is the most miserable of women.
(c) That she is the most fortunate of women.
(d) That she is a hypocrite.

9. What does Heloise demand from Abelard?
(a) A letter.
(b) An apology.
(c) Rescue.
(d) Money.

10. How, in Letter 5, does Abelard say Heloise should see him now?
(a) As her enemy.
(b) As her saint.
(c) As her partner in guilt and grace.
(d) As her deliverer.

11. In what way does Heloise say Abelard disregarded custom?
(a) By writing with only grief and worry.
(b) By asking her to intervene in his salvation.
(c) By writing to her at the convent.
(d) By failing to describe her as his wife.

12. Why does Abelard say that Heloise deserves praise?
(a) Because of her devotion to God.
(b) Because of her kind letter to him.
(c) Because she entered the convent.
(d) Because she disavows praise.

13. Why does Abelard say he filled Heloise with despair in his letter?
(a) Because she asked him to share his sorrow.
(b) Because his conscience required he tell her.
(c) Because he felt she needed to know.
(d) Because he felt she shared his sin and ought to share his sorrow afterward.

14. Where did Abelard study?
(a) Berlin.
(b) Zurich.
(c) Nantes.
(d) Paris.

15. What does Abelard make sure to say was NOT the case for his action?
(a) That he did not care for her.
(b) That he was proud of what happened.
(c) That he felt he owed her a great debt.
(d) That he wanted to hide.

Short Answer Questions

1. What explanation does Abelard offer for his action?

2. Whom does Abelard want to pray for him?

3. How does Abelard say he writes to Heloise?

4. What does Heloise say is Abelard's relation with her now?

5. What does Heloise doubt about Abelard?

(see the answer keys)

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