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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. According to the author, if he searched the universe for H., what would happen?
(a) He would not find her.
(b) He would find God.
(c) He would find her.
(d) He would be left even more lonely.

2. Who is H.?
(a) A friend from the author's past.
(b) The author's brother.
(c) A faculty member.
(d) The author's wife.

3. How will the author respond to being told the consolations of religion?
(a) He will assume the speaker does not understand.
(b) He will argue from Scripture.
(c) He will be persuaded.
(d) He will be consoled.

4. In the first chapter, who does the author say had died several years ago?
(a) The author's father.
(b) The author's brother.
(c) The author's friend.
(d) One of the author's sons.

5. In the second chapter, what does the author reason God must do if He hurts people so in this life?
(a) That He releases people from all pain
(b) That God continues to hurt people after death.
(c) It is not an issue.
(d) That God does not really hurt people at all.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the author say combats the idea of God's mindless cruelty?

2. To what ultimate fate does the author resign himself?

3. What does the author think happens to our memories of people?

4. According to the author, what feeling does a dying person experience?

5. What aspect of an afterlife does the author say differs completely from this life?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lewis think people react when they encounter him?

2. What was the most precious gift that marriage to H. had given Lewis? What is Lewis afraid will happen to that gift?

3. Why can Lewis not talk to his children about their mother?

4. What is one aspect of the supposed consolation that H. continues that troubles Lewis?

5. In Chapter Two, how does Lewis introduce the idea of faith? When does Lewis determine that one's beliefs are ultimately tested?

6. What is it about cancer that prompts some of Lewis' reflections?

7. H.'s absence is most evident to Lewis in his body. How does Lewis experience his own body in his grief?

8. Why is Lewis "appalled" when he read what he has written in the first chapter?

9. How does Lewis try to convince himself that he does not mind H.'s death? Provide examples of the things that Lewis tells himself.

10. In what ways does Lewis describe H.'s "noble hunger"? Describe the ways that H.'s "noble hunger" displayed itself in H.'s approach.

(see the answer keys)

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