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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. What does Peter the Venerable say he is particularly impressed by?
(a) Heloise's devotion to Abelard.
(b) Heloise's learning.
(c) Heloise's beauty.
(d) Heloise's graceful movements.

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

5. How does Heloise say that the thing that pleases God is manifested?
(a) In each according to his weakness.
(b) Differently in different people.
(c) In each according to his talents.
(d) The same in everyone.

6. 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 were among the first to persecute the apostles.
(d) He says that women doubted Christ's divinity.

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

8. What does Abelard say in Letter 7 about the virtue of women?
(a) It is useful for different things in religion.
(b) It is the same as men's virtues.
(c) It is only appropriate for certain things.
(d) It is more pleasing to God.

9. What should the practice of silence result in, according to Abelard?
(a) Emptying the mind.
(b) Concentrating the mind.
(c) Ascending to God.
(d) Purifying the mind.

10. What does Abelard say life becomes in poverty?
(a) A common store.
(b) A firm law.
(c) A resource.
(d) A community.

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

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

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

14. What does Abelard say was honored by St. Paul and St. Jerome?
(a) Virginity
(b) Prostitution.
(c) Motherhood
(d) Widowhood.

15. How had Abelard handled the sender of Letter 9's recommendation?
(a) He already acted on it.
(b) He said he would take it.
(c) He refused it.
(d) He had not responded.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the tone of the first part of Letter 9?

2. For what does Abelard ask Heloise at the end of Letter 7?

3. Who were monks and nuns imitating, according to Abelard?

4. What does Peter the Venerable wish for in his letter to Heloise?

5. What did Abelard do right before he died?

(see the answer keys)

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