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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Whom did the ancient sophists praise?
(a) Themselves.
(b) Gods and heroes.
(c) Trivialities.
(d) The learned.

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

3. Erasmus answers the charge that he is too sarcastic by saying that ________ has always enjoyed freedom to exercise their wit on the common life of man.
(a) The insane.
(b) Noblemen.
(c) Jesters.
(d) The intelligent.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. By Stoic definition, what does folly mean?

2. Erasmus marvels that present-day ears can bear to hear only what?

3. Whom does Folly consider her sister?

4. What first put the idea of The Praise of Folly into Erasmus's head?

5. Which age in a man's life does Folly describe as the happiest?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Erasmus dedicate his book to Thomas More?

2. Why is Folly dressed in unaccustomed garb?

3. According to Folly, do philosophers make good kings?

4. What does Folly say about emotions in relation to wisdom?

5. Why does Folly consider her presence to be essential to friendship?

6. Why does Folly claim to be a god?

7. Where was Erasmus when he was writing The Praise of Folly?

8. Does Folly speak highly of prudence?

9. What does Folly say was her effect upon her audience?

10. What does Folly do for the elderly?

(see the answer keys)

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