View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What metaphor does the author use to describe the strength of his belief of H.'s continuing existence?
(a) An automobile.
(b) A rope.
(c) A book.
(d) A grave stone.

2. According to the author, what never repeats itself?
(a) God.
(b) Nature.
(c) History.
(d) Friends.

3. To what does the author compare falling in love with H.'s memory?
(a) Adultery.
(b) Insanity.
(c) Incest.
(d) The next best thing to having H. with him.

4. What religious form would an introduction of a bad God take, according to the author?
(a) A Roman Catholic idea.
(b) Distorted Anglican theology.
(c) A sort of extreme Calvinism.
(d) An Eastern religious idea.

5. What ancient civilization thought that embalming the dead lessened death's effect?
(a) Celtic civilization.
(b) Roman civilization.
(c) Egyptian civilization.
(d) Grecian civilization.

Short Answer Questions

1. How long does the author think his suffering will last?

2. How does the author say a mother who has lost a child responds to words of comfort about where the child is?

3. What pseudonym did the author use?

4. In the first chapter, who does the author say had died several years ago?

5. In what way does the author crave to be touched by H.?

Short Essay Questions

1. Lewis decided to record his reflections to get all his feelings and thoughts out. What does Lewis reflect might be a downside to his journal?

2. Why does Lewis think that grief is like fear? Describe the ways in which Lewis experiences fear.

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

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

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

6. What does Lewis experience when he finally goes to a place where he and H. had been happy?

7. Lewis is surprised about the way that grief intrudes upon his daily responsibilities. What are some symptoms Lewis experiences about the laziness of grief?

8. What does Lewis describe as so tragic about H.'s "noble hunger"?

9. What impresses Lewis about his realization of the man he had not seen for 10 years and Lewis's actual memories of the man?

10. What does Lewis find so horrifying about the man he encountered who was tending to his mother's grave? What does Lewis's reaction to the man mean for Lewis's feelings about H.?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 745 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample