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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 Van say was his first aesthetic experience?

2. What did Davy let go of during her first flight?

3. Why did Van and Davy make sure they spend time outside while they are at Oxford?

4. Why did Van and Davy decide not to live at sea after their first year at Oxford?

5. What did Van and Davy call their "shining barrier?"

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the bombing of Pearl Harbor affect Van and Davy?

2. What confused Van about world religions in "Encounter with Light?"

3. What did Van observe about Lewis as a teacher?

4. What was Davy's "sin picture?"

5. Why did Davy and Van sail to Oxford at the end of "The Shadow of a Tree?"

6. Why did Van and Davy choose to attend St. Ebbe's?

7. How did Davy and Van protect themselves from "creeping separateness?"

8. How did Van say he was awakened to his emotions?

9. What happened when Van and Davy started reading C.S. Lewis novels?

10. What did Van write in "The Sands?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Follow Van and Davy's relationship from beginning to end of the book. What are their three biggest turning points? How are they developed? What lessons are conveyed through their relationship?

Essay Topic 2

How does education act as a presence in this book? How does education shape the characters and drive the plot? What conflicts arise in regards to education?

Essay Topic 3

How is faith a theme in this book? How does faith affect the characters and the plot? What is the author's message about faith?

(see the answer keys)

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