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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 does the author say is human history's cruel joke?

2. By the end of the second chapter, what does the author think about human contemplation of God?

3. What does Lewis think people who grieve should do?

4. How will the author respond if talked to about the "truth of religion"?

5. What theory about God does the author dismiss?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

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

5. Lewis turns to C. with questions about God. How does C. respond to Lewis's thoughts?

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

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

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

9. In Chapter One, Lewis reflects upon marriage, religion and God. What is one thing that Lewis admits that marriage has done for him?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does Lewis mean in Chapter Two when he writes, "Heaven is a state where 'the former things have passed away'"? What has passed away? What is the "Heaven" to which Lewis refers? What prompts Lewis's reflections on his desires to have H. back? Cite any quotes used in the text.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter Four, Lewis describes two enormous gains that relate to God and to H. Describe those gains. Why does Lewis not call them "lasting" gains? For all that he gained, what does Lewis chide himself for as far as his earlier desires were concerned? How does recognition of these gains come to Lewis? Use Lewis's poetic description of how they do, and do not, come into view.

Essay Topic 3

Lewis offers a passage in Chapter Four that is full of similes. Describe the passage, referring to the similes. What does the moment Lewis describes mean? How does it reveal Lewis's progression through deep pain and sorrow? What is noticeably different from Lewis's reflections earlier in the book, especially the first two chapters?

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