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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Jack Boughton call John?

2. In John's house, which he has lived in since being a small boy, what is in the home that was the same from his childhood?

3. How did John lose his Greek Testament?

4. Why did John feel that he would be a minister?

5. What biblical character does John compare Jack to?

Short Essay Questions

1. What three things does seeing Jack playing catch with John's son remind him of?

2. What are the basic facts about John's first marriage?

3. What are some of John's comments on water?

4. Describe the moment of communion John experiences in the ruins of the burned-out church.

5. How does John describe himself as a younger man?

6. What was Jack Boughton's first meeting with Lila like?

7. Describe the preaching John's grandfather did after coming back from the war, and how it affected his listeners.

8. What is the significance behind the story of the farmer who was murdered with a bowie knife, and what does that have to do with John's grandfather?

9. What is the contrast between John's father and his grandfather's views on war?

10. What are John's feelings and descriptions of baptism?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

C. S. Lewis wrote a partial autobiography, "Surprised by Joy," in 1955. This same concept, of being surprised by feelings of joy, elation, or even peace, is a common thread in "Gilead." Describe evidences in John's life that show that many times he was "surprised by joy," and how this gives understanding into both his character and how he responds to various situations in the book.

Essay Topic 2

It is conceivable that Jack Boughton and John's wife Lila have common traits. While John's descriptions of Lila are admittedly sketchy, discuss any parallels between these two characters, but also any significant differences.

Essay Topic 3

John preaches a sermon based on the story of Hagar and Ishmael. It is suggested that John's inner life is played out in his sermons. Evaluate the sermons presented in the novel as a whole and discuss other parallels between John's sermons and occurrences in his life.

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