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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Abelard say women acted in the early church?
(a) He says that women were the first to ask for rules of worship.
(b) He says that women doubted Christ's divinity.
(c) He says that women were among the first to persecute the apostles.
(d) He says that women were devoted to Christ early on.

2. What does Abelard say was honored by St. Paul and St. Jerome?
(a) Virginity
(b) Prostitution.
(c) Widowhood.
(d) Motherhood

3. How would you describe Abelard's method of arranging Letter 7?
(a) Haphazard.
(b) A developmental crescendo.
(c) Chaotic.
(d) Orderly.

4. How does Heloise say that the thing that pleases God is manifested?
(a) In each according to his talents.
(b) The same in everyone.
(c) Differently in different people.
(d) In each according to his weakness.

5. What does Abelard say life becomes in poverty?
(a) A community.
(b) A resource.
(c) A common store.
(d) A firm law.

6. What else did Abelard do right before he died?
(a) Write out his last will.
(b) Confess his sins.
(c) Compose hymns.
(d) Receive absolution.

7. Where does Heloise find justification for what she asks Abelard in Letter 6?
(a) Scripture.
(b) Convent practice.
(c) The Rule of the Saints.
(d) Papal dispensations.

8. What should Abelard do in order to emulate the standard she sets for him?
(a) Hold her to a standard above herself.
(b) Be sensitive to her weakness.
(c) Listen to the details of her feelings.
(d) Ask her to recount her sufferings.

9. What was the thing based on that Heloise asked Abelard to give her?
(a) The freedom she enjoyed before becoming a nun.
(b) The devout acts of Christ.
(c) The story of Mary Magdalene.
(d) The rule of St. Benedict.

10. What does Peter the Venerable say to Heloise in Letter 10?
(a) He cannot help her.
(b) He is sorry to hear about her situation.
(c) He will try to help her.
(d) He is happy to hear from her.

11. In Letter 8, what does Abelard say women tend to stray toward?
(a) Men.
(b) Society.
(c) Sensual pleasures.
(d) Earthly distractions.

12. Why aren't outward manifestations reliable in indicating devotion, according to Heloise?
(a) They are not reliable.
(b) They can be feigned.
(c) They vary from person to person.
(d) People can learn them from each other.

13. What does Abelard say nuns should study?
(a) Scripture.
(b) History.
(c) Government.
(d) Religion.

14. Who sent Letter 9?
(a) Heloise.
(b) The pope.
(c) The Abbott of Cluny.
(d) Abelard.

15. What qualities must distinguish an Abbess, in Abelard's opinion?
(a) Broad life experience.
(b) Learning and teaching.
(c) Management experience.
(d) Lifelong chastity.

Short Answer Questions

1. From whom was Abelard seeking refuge?

2. What else does Heloise ask Abelard in Letter 6?

3. When was letter 9 likely written?

4. Who does Peter the Venerable cite to Heloise in his letter?

5. What does Peter the Venerable say is his estimation of Abelard?

(see the answer keys)

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