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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Orators prepare long speeches to do what Folly does with her what?
(a) Riddles.
(b) Speech.
(c) Laughter.
(d) Looks.

2. Erasmus marvels that present-day ears can bear to hear only what?
(a) Honorific titles.
(b) Serious prose.
(c) Pedantic poetry.
(d) Music.

3. According to Folly, who shows the way to perfect wisdom?
(a) Flattery.
(b) Wisdom.
(c) Ignorance.
(d) Folly.

4. Folly dresses in unaccustomed garb because she is imitating whom?
(a) The Sophists.
(b) Monks.
(c) Lucian.
(d) Homer.

5. Which wise man was driven to drink hemlock because of wisdom?
(a) Socrates.
(b) Plato.
(c) Augustine.
(d) Aristotle.

6. According to Folly, what is the seed and source of all deeds which win praise?
(a) Poverty.
(b) Anger.
(c) Vanity.
(d) War.

7. Through ignorance, thoughtlessness, and forgetfulness, what effect does Folly have on man?
(a) Reluctance to leave life.
(b) Apathy.
(c) Desire to leave earth.
(d) Shame and infamy.

8. According to the Prefatory Letter, Erasmus wrote The Praise of Folly on his journey to England from where?
(a) Greece.
(b) France.
(c) Germany.
(d) Italy.

9. What does Erasmus request the recipient of his book to be?
(a) A stout champion to Folly.
(b) An editor of his book.
(c) A persecutor of Folly.
(d) A dedicated follower of Folly.

10. Erasmus predicts that his book will be criticized as being what?
(a) Treacherous and rebellious.
(b) Frivolous and sarcastic.
(c) Immature and poorly written.
(d) Incomprehensible.

11. How does Folly describe the whole life of man?
(a) A walk in the park.
(b) A stage play.
(c) A novel.
(d) Dust in the wind.

12. Which of the following does Erasmus name as a famous author who wrote frivolity?
(a) Virgil.
(b) Chaucer.
(c) Augustine.
(d) Defoe.

13. Erasmus follows the well-known popular proverb that states that a man should do what?
(a) Praise others before himself.
(b) Defame himself.
(c) Praise himself, if no one else will.
(d) Speak with false humility.

14. Erasmus states that his praise of folly has not been altogether what?
(a) Welcomed.
(b) Criticized.
(c) Foolish.
(d) Wasted.

15. Which age in a man's life does Folly describe as the happiest?
(a) The middle.
(b) The first.
(c) None.
(d) The last.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Folly state is necessary for a woman to agree to wedlock?

2. Who are the two gods in Folly's household?

3. What does Zeus have to put aside in order to make a child?

4. Who does Folly say makes men satisfied with themselves?

5. Because Folly dispenses every benefit to all alike, what does she think she should be named?

(see the answer keys)

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