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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Stephen exert enormous energy in filling his days with penitent devotion, zealous prayers, and rosary recitations?
(a) to memorize Catholic ritual
(b) in elaborate attempts to mortify his senses
(c) to prepare himself for the seminary
(d) to please his mother

2. What goes through Stephen's head as he enters the confessional?
(a) He anticipates great relief afterward.
(b) He wishes his sin had been any but the one it is.
(c) He considers running away.
(d) He wonders if the priest will recognize his voice.

3. What does Stephen suddenly realize about his family relationships?
(a) that they have stiffled the family
(b) that they are silently severing
(c) that they have never been strong
(d) that they are becoming stronger

4. What are some things Stephen remembers while contemplating his sins?
(a) the ribald poetery he wrote
(b) the filthy pictures he had drawn
(c) peeping on girls in their bath
(d) his sordid dreams and the foul letters he had written

5. What is it about his mother that really bothers Stephen when the subject of the university comes up?
(a) her contempt for education
(b) her indifference
(c) her objection to the expense
(d) her distrust of him

6. What does the rector announce to the class?
(a) an early dismissal for the next few days
(b) extra credit for serving as altarboys
(c) tests for a scholarship program
(d) a retreat over the next few days

7. How does Stephen see his acts of devotion to God?
(a) as notches in a heavenly belt
(b) as protection against prostitutes
(c) as pressing keys of a divine cash register
(d) as tally marks on a chalkboard

8. What does Stephen discover when he returns home from the director's office?
(a) They are all excited about his becoming a priest.
(b) His father is in the hospital.
(c) Uncle Charles has died.
(d) The family is being forced to move again.

9. How does Stephen now view the guardians of his boyhood?
(a) as the factor that has made him strong
(b) as necessary influences
(c) as ways of keeping him ignorant
(d) as means of controlling him

10. After the confession, how does Stephen feel?
(a) happy to tell everyone his joy
(b) glad that it is over but feeling the same
(c) euphoric and filled with grace
(d) afraid he will die before receiving holy communion

11. What does the preacher say is available to the living to spare them from this everlasting torment?
(a) candles and incense
(b) unqualified absolution
(c) repentance
(d) vows

12. How does Stephen react to the announcement of the rector?
(a) His attitude is one of boredom.
(b) His heart withers with fear.
(c) He is glad he will have a chance to reform.
(d) He plans to be sick next Friday.

13. How does Stephen classify one who plays the role of a believer though he does not believe?
(a) as a hypocrite
(b) as an agnostic
(c) as a Jesuit
(d) as an atheist

14. To what does Stephen devote each different day of the week?
(a) to recruiting new students to join him
(b) to studying a different section of the catechism
(c) to a different religious facet or figure
(d) to physical exercise

15. What will be the subjects of the retreat?
(a) mortifying the flesh
(b) sin and salvation
(c) death, judgment, hell, and heaven
(d) confession and renewal

Short Answer Questions

1. Whose innocence does Stephen remember trampling on?

2. What does Stephen seem to hear now that he has changed the course of his life?

3. What distracting sight does Stephen come upon while he wades in the water?

4. What do the sermons do for Stephen?

5. As he goes outside, what serves to increase his piety?

(see the answer keys)

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