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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why did Rudolph's father tell him to go to confession three days before the narrative present?
(a) His father suspected Rudolph had had impure thoughts.
(b) His father suspected Rudolph has stolen from the church.
(c) His father suspected Rudolph had told a lie.
(d) Rudolph had not been to confession in over a month.

2. What did Rudolph do after his father had told him to go to confession?
(a) He played with some friends.
(b) He locked himself in his bedroom.
(c) He helped his mother cook supper.
(d) He went to confession.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Father Schwartz tell Rudolph he should have done about the situation in the barn?

2. Who is the author of "Absolution"?

3. How does Father Schwartz know Rudolph is worried when he comes to see him at the start of the story?

4. Who is waiting to see Father Schwartz at the start of Chapter 2?

5. How does Rudolph describe to Father Schwartz the "thoughts and dreams" he has had during his confession in Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Rudolph Miller? How does Father Schwartz behave when he first comes to his house in Chapter 1?

2. What words does Father Schwartz use when addressing Rudolph in the confessional in Chapter 2?

3. What "easy sins" did Rudolph confess to Father Schwartz in Chapter 2?

4. Why did Rudolph's father tell him he had to go to confession three days before Rudolph came to see Father Schwartz in his home? Did Rudolph obey his father?

5. What plan does Rudolph come up with at the end of Chapter 2 to avoid having to take communion at church the next day?

6. What does Father Schwartz do on Saturdays after confession? What happens as he passes the drug store that increases his sadness?

7. What does Father Schwartz tell Rudolph he should have done when he was in the barn with the boy and the girl?

8. What questions does Father Schwartz ask Rudolph when he says he has committed a terrible sin?

9. What is Father Schwartz's mood at the start of the story? How do you know?

10. What object in Father Schwartz's room reminds him of "gruesome labyrinths" (1)? Why does he stare at this object in the first place?

(see the answer keys)

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