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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where is weakness taken into account, according to Heloise?
(a) Canon law.
(b) Convent conventions.
(c) The Old Testament.
(d) The Kabala.

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

3. What provision does Heloise ask Abelard to include in what he makes for her?
(a) Rewards for nuns who are the most devout.
(b) Exclusions for nuns who do not follow the rules.
(c) Special standards for the more devout nuns.
(d) Exceptions for the old, young, and weak.

4. Which role is not mentioned by Abelard when he describes the roles necessary to run a convent?
(a) A portress.
(b) A wardrobe.
(c) A shepherd.
(d) A cellaress.

5. Who sent Letter 9?
(a) The Abbott of Cluny.
(b) Abelard.
(c) Heloise.
(d) The pope.

6. What does Letter 7 describe to Heloise?
(a) Examples of women favored by the church.
(b) Reasons why women should receive lighter burdens.
(c) Reasons why women should not receive lighter burdens.
(d) Examples of women who bore more than men could bear.

7. What reason does the sender give for writing Letter 9?
(a) He is looking for contributions for Abelard.
(b) He is looking for support for Abelard.
(c) He is writing on Abelard's behalf.
(d) He is preparing Abelard's case.

8. What does Abelard say he is correcting with the life of silence?
(a) Guilt.
(b) Excess of words.
(c) Dependency on the world.
(d) Excess of sin.

9. How does Abelard describe wisdom in his Rule?
(a) Knowing your place.
(b) Knowing yourself.
(c) Holding your tongue.
(d) Keeping oneself pure.

10. In Letter 6, what does Heloise ask Abelard to do for her?
(a) Free her from the convent.
(b) Lay out acts of devotion for her to perform.
(c) Proscribe rules for her convent.
(d) Write down the history of her misfortunes.

11. What does Peter the Venerable say to Heloise in Letter 10?
(a) He is happy to hear from her.
(b) He will try to help her.
(c) He cannot help her.
(d) He is sorry to hear about her situation.

12. How does Abelard say women acted in the early church?
(a) He says that women were devoted to Christ early on.
(b) He says that women were the first to ask for rules of worship.
(c) He says that women doubted Christ's divinity.
(d) He says that women were among the first to persecute the apostles.

13. What does Heloise say in Letter 6 that she cannot make herself do?
(a) Seek God.
(b) Beg for forgiveness.
(c) Pray.
(d) Obey Abelard.

14. For what is Heloise arguing in Letter 6?
(a) Contextual application of burdens.
(b) A case-by-case standard for burdens.
(c) An absolute rule for burdens.
(d) Rules that respect gender differences.

15. What was the sender of Letter 9 trying to offer Abelard?
(a) Amnesty.
(b) Sanctuary.
(c) Forgiveness.
(d) Power.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the sender of Letter 9 say about Abelard?

2. What is it that ultimately pleases God, according to Heloise?

3. Why did Peter the Venerable send Abelard away?

4. What did the woman do, whom Abelard cited in Letter 7?

5. What did Abelard do right before he died?

(see the answer keys)

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