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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. What does Philosophy say of Fortune?
(a) It is a muse.
(b) It is like a child.
(c) It is a monster.
(d) It is a friend.

2. What does the woman say about Boethius' fall from his former heights?
(a) It is permanent.
(b) That he will need to learn from it.
(c) The responsible will be punished.
(d) There is no permanent loss.

3. What gift did God give to men according to Boethius?
(a) Freedom.
(b) Houses.
(c) Curiosity.
(d) Knowledge.

4. Why is the woman not able to help Boethius shortly after their meeting?
(a) He has no money to pay her.
(b) He talks too much.
(c) He does not talk.
(d) He is in jail.

5. What became rusty according to the test administered by the woman to Boethius?
(a) Boethius' mind.
(b) Boethius' chariot.
(c) The bars of the cell.
(d) Boethius' knife.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the real cause of Boethius being miserable according to Philosophy?

2. Why does Philosophy justify her saying that Boethius didn't lose anything?

3. Who were the two men the woman compares Boethius to persecuted by?

4. Who does Philosophy say Boethius cherishes?

5. What does the woman think of Boethius' mind?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the woman urge Boethius to break his silence?

2. At the start of Book 1 of "The Consolation of Philosophy", where is Boethius and what is he doing?

3. Why does the woman believe Boethius is responsible for his own suffering?

4. What does the woman remind Boethius of in regards to the events and his attitude?

5. What is significant about the changing height of the woman who enters Boethius' cell?

6. Why is the way that the woman describes Boethius' achievement in comparison to the world significant?

7. Why does Boethius disagree with the woman regarding misery and what is her rebuttal?

8. Based on the woman's argument, why are material goods inherently valueless?

9. Why does Boethius praise God?

10. What diagnosis does the Lady Philosophy make and what does she point out at the beginning of Book II?

(see the answer keys)

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