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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why did the sender of Letter 9 think that the action Abelard took was appropriate?
(a) It repaired the split with the letter's recipient.
(b) It fit his age and calling.
(c) It showed deference.
(d) It demonstrated contrition.

2. Who does Abelard cite as an example of someone devout in the church?
(a) Ruth.
(b) Mary, mother of Christ.
(c) Judith.
(d) Mary Magdalene.

3. Who does Heloise say in Letter 6 Abelard should imitate?
(a) Christ.
(b) The abbot.
(c) Her.
(d) The pope.

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

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

6. Who was Peter the Venerable?
(a) Heloise.
(b) The pope.
(c) Abelard.
(d) The Abbott of Cluny.

7. What did the woman do, whom Abelard cited in Letter 7?
(a) Discovered Christ's empty tomb.
(b) Took Christ down from the cross.
(c) Anointed Christ with oil.
(d) Prepared for the Last Supper.

8. What did Abelard do right before he died?
(a) Write to the pope.
(b) Profess his faith.
(c) Write to Peter the Venerable.
(d) Declare his love to Heloise.

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

10. From whom was Abelard seeking refuge?
(a) Anselm of Laon.
(b) The pope.
(c) Fulbert.
(d) The Abbot of Citeaux.

11. To what does Abelard respond at first in Letter 7?
(a) Heloise's request for leniency.
(b) Heloise's request for patience.
(c) Heloise's demand for information.
(d) Heloise's initial quotes about nuns' practices.

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

13. What should nuns primarily think about, according to Abelard?
(a) The history of God and the church.
(b) The inner life.
(c) God's relationship to man.
(d) The nature of God.

14. How does Abelard say errors should be corrected?
(a) Leniently.
(b) Compassionately.
(c) Reciprocally.
(d) Vigorously.

15. What news about Abelard does the sender of Letter 9 relate?
(a) That he is instituting progressive reforms.
(b) That he has proposed an order for nuns.
(c) That he is becoming a popular leader.
(d) That he is accused of heresy.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Abelard say about the daughters of Aaron?

2. Which role is not mentioned by Abelard when he describes the roles necessary to run a convent?

3. Why does Heloise argue for special dispensations?

4. What does Peter the Venerable say about Abelard?

5. When did the practice of monasteries and convents begin?

(see the answer keys)

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