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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. What qualities must distinguish an Abbess, in Abelard's opinion?
(a) Lifelong chastity.
(b) Management experience.
(c) Learning and teaching.
(d) Broad life experience.

4. Who were monks and nuns imitating, according to Abelard?
(a) The pope.
(b) The sun and moon.
(c) The oldest gods.
(d) Christ.

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

6. What promise does Peter the Venerable make to Heloise in the last letter?
(a) He will celebrate Heloise in print and song.
(b) He will find a good position for Astralabe.
(c) He will make a contribution to the church in Abelard's name.
(d) He will personally convey Abelard's remains to Heloise's convent.

7. Where does Heloise find justification for what she asks Abelard in Letter 6?
(a) The Rule of the Saints.
(b) Scripture.
(c) Convent practice.
(d) Papal dispensations.

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

9. Where did Abelard go after the exchange he had with the sender of Letter 9?
(a) To see Heloise.
(b) Continue his travels.
(c) Retreat to Cluny.
(d) Return to his monastery.

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

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

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

13. What does Abelard say about the daughters of Aaron?
(a) They betrayed their brothers' priestly duties.
(b) They excelled their brothers in devotion.
(c) They took the priestly offices from their brothers.
(d) They held priestly office equally with their brothers.

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

15. What does Abelard say nuns should study?
(a) History.
(b) Government.
(c) Scripture.
(d) Religion.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Peter the Venerable cite to Heloise in his letter?

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

3. What does Letter 7 describe to Heloise?

4. What is continence, as mentioned in Letter 8?

5. For what is Heloise arguing in Letter 6?

(see the answer keys)

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