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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 type of death did C.S. Lewis say is least perilous to the survivor?

2. Why did Davy start praying with the other patients when she was in the hospital for the second time?

3. Why did C.S. Lewis say men are like dogs?

4. When did Davy return to the hospital in "The Deathly Snows?"

5. What did Van realize about his letters to Davy in "Epilogue: The Second Death?"

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the Illumination of the Past?

2. Why was Davy's death described as a "severe mercy?"

3. Why did Van write letters to several friends in "The Way of Grief?"

4. How did Van compare seeing the "Davies" to a novel?

5. How did Van and Davy reunite after breaking their barrier in "The Barrier Breached?"

6. How did Van reflect on time in "The Severe Mercy?"

7. What did Van do before sailing back to Virginia in "Epilogue: The Second Death?"

8. What does Van's poem about Halloween say?

9. How did Lewis respond to Van's attempt to disown Christ in "The Way of Grief?"

10. Why did Lewis talk to Van about his decision not to have children with Davy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain what Van and Davy's "shining barrier" is. How do they form it? How is it successful or unsuccessful? What is the purpose of the barrier?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Van's poetry. Choose three of Van's poems and discuss their literary value, purpose, and devices used in each poem.

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?

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