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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Father Schwartz offer to Rudolph when he will not tell him his sin?
(a) He offers to visit confession.
(b) He offers to have his father come over so they can all talk.
(c) He offers him a cup of tea.
(d) He asks if he wants to stay for dinner.

2. What does Father ask Rudolph about the kinds of thoughts he confessed to having?
(a) Why he finds them problematic.
(b) How often he has had them.
(c) If he has told anyone else about them.
(d) If he enjoys them.

3. What does Rudolph tell Father Schwartz when he finally speaks?
(a) His mother has run away.
(b) He wants to be a pastor.
(c) He is worried about his father.
(d) He has committed a horrible sin.

4. How did Rudolph feel when his father told him to go to confession three days earlier?
(a) He was angry.
(b) He understood why his father thought it important.
(c) He was happy to be reminded.
(d) He was confused.

5. Who brings Rudolph Miller to Father Schwartz when he first comes to see him at the start of the story?
(a) Father Schwartz's housekeeper.
(b) Rudolph's father.
(c) Rudolph's mother.
(d) A fellow priest.

6. What does Rudolph think will happen if he takes communion the day after he confesses to Father Schwartz in Chapter 2?
(a) He will anger his father.
(b) He will anger God.
(c) Probably nothing.
(d) He will anger Father Schwartz.

7. Who is Blatchford Sarnemington?
(a) Rudolph's alter ego.
(b) Rudolph's schoolmate.
(c) Rudolph's teacher.
(d) Rudolph's cousin.

8. Why does Father Schwartz "pray aloud for twilight to come" (1) at the start of the story?
(a) So he can no longer hear people pass by his window.
(b) So he can take walk alone.
(c) So he can finally fall asleep.
(d) So he can watch the moon and stars from his back porch.

9. How does Rudolph describe to Father Schwartz the "thoughts and dreams" he has had during his confession in Chapter 2?
(a) Fantastical.
(b) Frightening.
(c) Foolish.
(d) Immodest.

10. When does Chapter 2 begin?
(a) Saturday, three days before the story begins.
(b) Saturday, three days after the story begins.
(c) The Sunday before the story begins.
(d) The Sunday after the story begins.

11. What does Rudolph confess to Father Schwartz about his feelings about his parents in Chapter 2?
(a) He has wished his parent's dead.
(b) He has thought his parents were evil.
(c) He has thought he might be too good to be his parent's son.
(d) He has wished his parent's would split up.

12. Why is Rudolph upset at the end of his confession with Father Schwartz in Chapter 2?
(a) Father Schwartz does not seem to care.
(b) He has not tell him everything.
(c) Father Schwartz says he is going to tell his father.
(d) He has told a lie, which is a sin.

13. Who is waiting to see Father Schwartz at the start of Chapter 2?
(a) Rudolph.
(b) Carl.
(c) Father Schwartz housekeeper.
(d) Rudolph's friend.

14. Who is the first character introduced in "Absolution"?
(a) Father Schwartz.
(b) Carl Miller.
(c) Rudolph Miller.
(d) The housekeeper.

15. What did Rudolph confess to Father Schwartz he did in the barn with his friends?
(a) Plan to steal from their neighbor.
(b) Smoke cigarettes with his friends.
(c) Spied on the neighbors doing immodest things.
(d) Listened to his friends say immodest things.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Rudolph do after his father had told him to go to confession?

2. Why did Rudolph's father tell him to go to confession three days before the narrative present?

3. What scent makes Father Schwartz's heart ache as he walks the streets on Saturday night?

4. What is Rudolph's emotional state while he sits with Father Schwartz at the start of the story?

5. What is Father Schwartz first name?

(see the answer keys)

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