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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Rudolph decide to stay and confess rather than succumbing to his urge to leave?
(a) If he leaves he will not get his sins off of his chest.
(b) If he leaves he knows his father will find out.
(c) If he leaves his mother will be angry.
(d) If he leaves he cannot take communion.

2. What does Father Schwartz do every night?
(a) Watch TV.
(b) Weep.
(c) Visit the homes of parishioners.
(d) Read.

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

4. What concerns Rudolph at the start of Chapter 2?
(a) He worries someone will be able to hear his confession.
(b) He worries his confession will anger the priest.
(c) He worries his father will listen to his confession.
(d) He worries Father Schwartz will not be in the confessional.

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

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

7. What is the first "easy sin" Rudolph confessed to Father Schwartz in Chapter 2?
(a) He coveted his neighbors possessions.
(b) He lied.
(c) He took the Lord's name in vain.
(d) He stole.

8. How does Father Schwartz know Rudolph's father?
(a) They went to school together.
(b) He was his former housekeeper.
(c) He is a clergyman.
(d) He is a parishioner.

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

10. Who can Father Schwartz hear pass by his window at 4 p.m.?
(a) Schoolchildren.
(b) Nobody, the streets are eerily quiet.
(c) Ambulances.
(d) A group of women.

11. How does Rudolph describe to Father Schwartz the "phrases" he had used during his confession in Chapter 2?
(a) Obscene.
(b) Filthy.
(c) Grimy.
(d) Inappropriate.

12. How does Father Schwartz know Rudolph is worried when he comes to see him at the start of the story?
(a) He is pacing.
(b) He is wringing his hands.
(c) His mouth is trembling.
(d) He is sweating and his breathing is shallow.

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

14. What does Father Schwartz first do when Rudolph arrives at the start of the story?
(a) He tells him he should not come to his house.
(b) He prays with him.
(c) He pretends to be busy.
(d) He asks him to come back later.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is Father Schwartz when Rudolph Miller comes to visit him at the start of "Absolution"?

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

3. What did Rudolph neglect to tell Father Schwartz about what had happened with his friends in the barn?

4. How old is Rudolph Miller?

5. What words does Father Schwartz use when listening to Rudolph's confession?

(see the answer keys)

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