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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Nicholas remember lifting Eric from when he was born?

2. What does Nicholas say that a friend's silence is to his wounds?

3. Who does Nicholas say looks neither behind nor ahead because her humanity is just beginning?

4. What elements did Nicholas believe would comfort him?

5. What was the weather like on the night Eric was born?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is there a hole in Nicholas' world after Eric's death?

2. What does Nicholas say should be said or done with someone who is suffering?

3. Why did Nicholas feel that it was a cruel mockery that Eric's backpack and boots were unscathed?

4. What things remind Nicholas that Eric is gone?

5. What does Nicholas believe would be insipid?

6. How did Nicholas learn that his son died?

7. Why would Nicholas get angry with Eric?

8. What did Eric look like in his coffin?

9. In what way does the world look different to Nicholas after his son's death?

10. How does Nicholas say that he and the family can live as faithfully and authentically with Eric gone as they did when he was present?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define and discuss what "inscape" is and how it related to Eric.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss why Nicholas chose a lamentation to express the pain he felt regarding Eric's death. Use examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Argue whether God is or is not an instrument of death. Use examples from the book to support your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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