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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where does the author say the young man might be intoxicated by aesthetic pleasure?
(a) A baseball game.
(b) A cricket match.
(c) An art gallery.
(d) The theatre.

2. What is the only thing for which the author thanks God with his whole soul?
(a) That his wife is the last person he will ever love.
(b) That his wife has many hobbies which keep her occupied.
(c) That his wife is the only woman he has ever loved.
(d) That his wife loves him with all her heart.

3. In discussing the the aesthetic of marriage, upon what does the author of the letter draw?
(a) The author draws on examples from his own marriage.
(b) The author draws on examples from Confucius's marriage.
(c) The author draws on examples from his friend's marriage.
(d) The author draws on invented examples of marriage.

4. What is the only thing for which the author prays to God with his whole heart?
(a) That God will give him the judgement to know when his wife is lying.
(b) That God will give him the patience to put up with his wife's nagging.
(c) That God will give him the strength to move on after his wife stops loving him.
(d) That God will give him the strength never to want to love another woman.

5. What is the relationship between marriage and first love according to the author?
(a) There is no relationship between marriage and first love according to the author.
(b) Marriage is the annihilation of first love.
(c) Marriage is the transfiguration of first love.
(d) Marriage is the equivalent of first love.

6. What are the excesses of the mystics according to the author of the letter?
(a) Attempting to help every person they come across.
(b) Drinking and drug taking.
(c) Self-tormenting and annihilation of the physical.
(d) Praying all day and all night.

7. What does first love not need according to the author?
(a) Support.
(b) Attention.
(c) Fame.
(d) Money.

8. Which part of the wedding does the author find rather backward?
(a) The author thinks "as long as you both shall live" is a little extreme.
(b) The author thinks the man ought to wear the dress and the woman the tuxedo.
(c) The author thinks he ought to be able to have as many love affairs as he likes.
(d) The author thinks it incorrect that he is supposed to be in charge of his wife.

9. What occasion caused the young man to fume according to the author?
(a) A funeral.
(b) A church wedding.
(c) A birthday party.
(d) A Mayday party.

10. Who is the only person who has gained everything according to the author?
(a) The person who has laughed at the faults of another.
(b) The person who has lost everything in the world.
(c) The person who has laughed at his faults.
(d) The person who has gained everything in the world.

11. What is the only way the author claims he would ever wish to be in relation to his wife?
(a) Monogamous.
(b) Polygamous.
(c) Dominant.
(d) Submissive.

12. Who does Kirkegaard explain the letter was intended for?
(a) A young man.
(b) Nathan.
(c) Joel.
(d) Bathsheba.

13. According to the author, true marriage includes the religious and what other element?
(a) The fated.
(b) The pure.
(c) The erotic.
(d) The sacrilegious.

14. How ought we deal with the frail according to the author?
(a) We ought to kick the frail down the stairs.
(b) We ought to be polite to the frail in their presence and save our snickering for when they are gone.
(c) We ought to speak very slowly to the frail.
(d) We ought to deal with the frail lovingly.

15. What does the author say would be a matter of indifference to Christians?
(a) Whether Christ physically rose from the dead.
(b) Whether Christ was ugly or handsome.
(c) Whether Christ was born in December or July.
(d) Whether Christ was literally an incarnation of almighty God.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the author believe accounts for the young man's excessive anxiety?

2. What does the author say is the most intensive enjoyment?

3. What effect does giving of thanks have on first love?

4. What is ostensibly one of the most respectable reasons for getting married according to the author?

5. What is the opening phrase of the work?

(see the answer keys)

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