2. 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 Father Schwartz.
(b) Probably nothing.
(c) He will anger his father.
(d) He will anger God.

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

4. Who is the author of "Absolution"?
(a) F. Scott Fitzgerald.
(b) Ernest Hemingway.
(c) T.S. Eliot.
(d) Franz Kafka.

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

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

7. Where is Father Schwartz when Rudolph Miller comes to visit him at the start of "Absolution"?
(a) At a cafe.
(b) In the library.
(c) At church.
(d) At home.

8. What is another "easy sin" Rudolph confessed to Father Schwartz in Chapter 2?
(a) He talked back to his teacher.
(b) He cheated on a test at school.
(c) He was mean to an old lady.
(d) He skipped church the week before.

9. What does the carpet in Father Schwartz home bring to mind when he looks at it to avoid the sun?
(a) Solemn parishioners.
(b) Gruesome labyrinths.
(c) Creepy gargoyles.
(d) Dingy roads.

10. What is Rudolph's father's occupation?
(a) Cleric.
(b) Freight agent.
(c) Teacher.
(d) Housekeeper.

11. What does Rudolph do while waiting to see the priest at the start of Chapter 2?
(a) He tries to make himself look remorseful.
(b) He stands near the confessional and eavesdrops.
(c) He talks with the other parishioners.
(d) He draws inappropriate pictures.

12. 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.

13. What is Father Schwartz first name?
(a) Adolphus.
(b) Allain.
(c) Alfred.
(d) Albert.

14. What scent makes Father Schwartz's heart ache as he walks the streets on Saturday night?
(a) Suppers cooking in the homes he passes.
(b) The impending rain.
(c) Baking bread.
(d) Cheap toilet soap.

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