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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Erasmus, nothing is more entertaining than treating what in such a way as to make it clear you are doing anything but trifling with them?
(a) Serious subjects.
(b) Trivialities.
(c) Political leaders.
(d) Readers.

2. Folly is in poor repute even amongst whom?
(a) The greatest fools.
(b) Madmen.
(c) The learned.
(d) The noblemen.

3. According to Folly, who would be disagreeable and disliked if not graced by her divine powers?
(a) The Stoics.
(b) The gods.
(c) The Sophists.
(d) The nobility.

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

5. What grows in the place of Folly's birth?
(a) Onions.
(b) The gardens of Adonis.
(c) The tree of life.
(d) Butterflies.

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

7. Folly considers emotions to be what in relation to wisdom?
(a) Guides and incentives.
(b) Deterrents.
(c) Slaves and subjects.
(d) Masters.

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

9. Who segregated passions from the wise man?
(a) Socrates.
(b) The Sophists.
(c) The Epicureans.
(d) The Stoics.

10. By Stoic definition, what does folly mean?
(a) Belonging to women.
(b) Given to frivolity.
(c) Without wisdom.
(d) Moved by the passions.

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

12. How was Folly born?
(a) She does not know.
(b) Her father married her mother.
(c) Her father made her spring from his brain.
(d) Her father laid with a nymph.

13. Who considers themselves gods on earth if they can use Greek words in their speeches?
(a) Professors.
(b) English.
(c) Sophists.
(d) Rhetoricians.

14. What does Folly say would be rampant without her?
(a) Friendship.
(b) Divorce.
(c) Babies.
(d) Learning.

15. Who are the two gods in Folly's household?
(a) Revelry and Sound Sleep.
(b) Zeus and Theseus.
(c) Mirth and Longevity.
(d) Zeus and Mars.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Folly, what kind of man is unlucky in regards to children?

2. What calmed a violent Roman mob?

3. Where was Folly born?

4. Which poet wrote, "For ignorance provides the happiest life"?

5. What is unknown in the place of Folly's birth?

(see the answer keys)

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