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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. What does the sender of Letter 9 say about Abelard?
(a) That he passed through.
(b) That he has just received a letter about him.
(c) That he has just received a letter from him.
(d) That the monks at his monastery were trying to kill him.

4. Why does Heloise argue for special dispensations?
(a) Monastic life was designed for ascetics, not for everyone.
(b) Not everyone can emulate the sufferings of Christ the same way.
(c) She does not want certain nuns to be sent away from the convent.
(d) Monastic life should not be imposed on people who will only fail at it.

5. When was letter 9 likely written?
(a) 1164.
(b) 1181.
(c) 1158.
(d) 1140.

6. What is the tone of the last part of Letter 9?
(a) Even-handed.
(b) Imposing.
(c) Beseeching.
(d) Narrative.

7. When did the practice of monasteries and convents begin?
(a) In Roman times.
(b) In antiquity.
(c) In the Middle Ages.
(d) In Christ's time.

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

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

10. 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.

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

12. What does Abelard rely on in providing a rule for the lives of the nuns at Paraclete?
(a) His monastery's practices.
(b) Ancient practices.
(c) Scripture.
(d) Different religions' monastic practices.

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

14. What does Peter the Venerable say Abelard's last days with him were devoted to?
(a) God.
(b) Service.
(c) Writing.
(d) Praying.

15. How did the practice of nunnery change in the early church?
(a) It contracted.
(b) It ceased.
(c) It expanded.
(d) It almost went extinct.

Short Answer Questions

1. Whom does Abelard say Jesus honored?

2. Who does Abelard cite as an example of someone devout in the church?

3. What does Peter the Venerable say he is particularly impressed by?

4. How does Abelard describe wisdom in his Rule?

5. What promise does Peter the Venerable make to Heloise in the last letter?

(see the answer keys)

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