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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why did Abelard's teacher come to dislike him?
(a) Because Abelard was arrogant and disruptive.
(b) Because Abelard was heavily in debt to him.
(c) Because Abelard had an affair with a serving girl.
(d) Because Abelard set out to disprove him.

2. To whom did Abelard write the first letter?
(a) Heloise's father.
(b) Heloise.
(c) A friend.
(d) His father.

3. What does Heloise say makes it impossible to endure Abelard's absence?
(a) Her knowledge of God's grace.
(b) Guilt.
(c) Delight in the sinfulness of fornication.
(d) Memory of the pleasure of lovemaking.

4. What explanation does Abelard offer for his action?
(a) He did not want to make her suffer.
(b) He thought their time together was over.
(c) He wanted to put the past behind him.
(d) He thought she could not love him now.

5. In what way does Heloise pretend in her first letter to Abelard?
(a) She pretends not to make a demand.
(b) She pretends to be miserable over Abelard's plight.
(c) She pretends to be optimistic about seeing Abelard again.
(d) She pretends to be happy where she is.

6. What does Abelard say is a danger to Heloise's body?
(a) Her despair.
(b) Her devotion.
(c) Her bitterness.
(d) Her lust.

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

8. What else does Heloise ask Abelard to think about?
(a) How much she has served him.
(b) How long his penance should last.
(c) Whether his sin was responsible for his suffering.
(d) What will constitute justice, in his situation.

9. What does Heloise say, in Letter 4, she cannot find?
(a) Obedience.
(b) Penitence.
(c) Devotion.
(d) Patience.

10. What does Heloise tell Abelard she will do for him?
(a) Repay him in love for what he has lost.
(b) Find him at his monastery.
(c) Repay her father's men for what they did.
(d) Whatever he asks.

11. What condition did Abelard impose on his marriage with Heloise?
(a) That it take place in secret.
(b) That it take place immediately.
(c) That it be a large celebration.
(d) That it not take place for two years.

12. Who else does Heloise say was affected by Abelard's letter?
(a) God.
(b) The nuns.
(c) His abbot.
(d) Her father.

13. For what does Abelard ask Heloise to pray?
(a) Death.
(b) Justice.
(c) Forgiveness.
(d) Revenge.

14. What does Heloise doubt about Abelard?
(a) Whether he was prepared to take care of her.
(b) Whether he wanted her for himself or for another.
(c) Whether his words were honest.
(d) What drew him to her.

15. In Letter 4, what does Heloise beg Abelard NOT to do?
(a) Pray for her.
(b) Remember her.
(c) Write to her.
(d) Praise her.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Abelard say he writes to Heloise?

2. What does Abelard say Heloise should focus on entirely?

3. Who does Heloise say commanded her to be a nun?

4. Where does Abelard ask Heloise to take his body if he dies?

5. What aspects of his personality does Abelard attribute to his native region?

(see the answer keys)

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