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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 the Incarnation achieve, according to the author?

2. What does the author say is the obvious danger of images?

3. For the author, what element does praise always contain?

4. When was another time when the author enjoyed rambling walks?

5. What benefit might the author enjoy by praising God?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lewis mean when he writes about a house of cards?

2. How does the consolation that previously so wearied Lewis, "She is in God's hands", strike Lewis by the last chapter?

3. In what way does Lewis's previous acceptance of death and mourning alter with H.'s death?

4. What is the difference between how Lewis earlier understood biblical consolations and how he came to understand them?

5. At the beginning of Chapter Four, why does Lewis decide that he will not fill more than four journals?

6. Why does Lewis think that H.'s physical anguish might not have ended when she died? What images does Lewis use when reflecting on what happens to H. after she died?

7. What feelings follow from Lewis's experiences when he is not thinking about H.? How is his feeling related to his grief?

8. What does Lewis mean when he writes that he can believe that God is a vet? Conversely, how is it difficult for Lewis to think of God as a vet?

9. What choices does Lewis think that people have when it comes to their ideas about God?

10. In addition to a sword, what other metaphor does Lewis use to describe H. to establish a balanced view?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

C.S. Lewis was a religious scholar. He brought deep knowledge to his reflections on grief. He also was familiar, prior to H.'s death and certainly after she died, with religious platitudes. Write a developed essay that covers what Lewis says he will discuss about religion and how he will respond. Also discuss what Lewis will not discuss about religion and what he will assume from that particular topic. Describe why Lewis distinguishes among these topics.

Essay Topic 2

Select three reflections that either resonated with your beliefs or that you had trouble comprehending or believing. Reflect on each one. Be precise when you refer to the selected reflections. Explain what captured your attention about each reflection. Discuss how each reflection might affect you. Also describe how or how not, the book as a whole might have meaning in your life.

Essay Topic 3

Lewis reflects that people other than his children are having trouble coping with Lewis's grief. He describes various instances and impressions that leave him with distinct opinions about those who grieve.

1) Whom does Lewis encounter that he believes have uncomfortable responses to his obvious agony? Provide general as well as specific examples.

2) How do the people about whom Lewis writes respond to him? Be specific, detailing who and how they respond.

3) What does Lewis conclude about people who are grieving and their place in society?

(see the answer keys)

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