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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 claim does Philosophy say is the least convincing?
(a) A king can be honorable.
(b) Boethius can be saved.
(c) Fame brings happiness.
(d) Fame will make you rich.

2. What is the ultimate goal of God when using the actions of the wicked?
(a) The greater good.
(b) To make the good man richer.
(c) The teach the wicked man a lesson.
(d) To teach a good man a lesson.

3. What does nature ordain everything to do according to Philosophy?
(a) To explore new territory.
(b) To be fruitful.
(c) To seek its own natural goal/end.
(d) To be kind to one another.

4. What is Philosophy comparing God to?
(a) A good Samaritan.
(b) A merchant.
(c) A craftsman.
(d) Zeus.

5. What does Philosophy say of honor?
(a) That every man should have some.
(b) That it guarantees virtue.
(c) That it doesn't guarantee happiness or virtue.
(d) That is not worth much.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Philosophy say about men trying to find happiness?

2. According to Philosophy, what does true happiness involve?

3. What does Philosophy say about the men only seeking the 5 goods she listed at the start of Book 3?

4. Who wouldn't care about a politician title away from Rome?

5. Why do the wicked fail to be happy?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does "The Consolation of Philosophy" define fate?

2. What is the essence of true happiness as introduced at the beginning of Book III?

3. Why is Boethius still troubled at the beginning of Book IV and what does Lady Philosophy say?

4. Why do the five goods eventually disappoint their possessors?

5. Why do God's methods defy human reason?

6. Why should the five goods not be entirely dismissed?

7. What does fame come from, according to Book III of "The Consolation of Philosophy"?

8. What does the woman remind Boethius of in regards to God's governance?

9. What has nature ordained, according to Book III and what does this say about man's goal?

10. In light of Christian doctrine, what is the significance of the statement that "there are, some of them extremely harsh, and some, I think, with a purifying mercy"(124)?

(see the answer keys)

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