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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. What words does Chesterton prefer when referring to nature?
(a) Law, theory, science.
(b) Charm, spell, enchantment.
(c) Law, necessity, order.
(d) Necessity, order, tendency.

2. How does the book look in relation to Chesterton, according to the author himself?
(a) Egotistical.
(b) Altruistic.
(c) Self-sufficient.
(d) Paltry.

3. What does Chesterton name as the second principle of democracy?
(a) Political instinct is one thing men hold in common.
(b) Men's actions have meaning only by their own standards.
(c) Men's actions have meaning only when they relate to the cultural standards.
(d) Protection of private property is one thing men hold in common.

4. What is the title of the essay that H. G. Wells wrote on skepticism?
(a) Understanding the Skeptical Mind.
(b) Skepticism from a Philosophical Viewpoint.
(c) Doubts of the Instrument.
(d) The Creeds and Hierarchies.

5. According to Chesterton, what is too big an undertaking for a book even of a larger scope?
(a) Proving from every angle that any one faith is true.
(b) Proving the Christianity is true.
(c) Proving that materialism is an insufficient worldview.
(d) Explaining the intricacies of Christianity.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Bernard Shaw assert about the idea of choice?

2. Why does Chesterton call the cross "the symbol at once of mystery and of health?" (Chesterton 2000, pg. 188).

3. In fairy tales and fiction, what change does Chesterton name that makes the stories monotonous?

4. In Chapter IV, The Ethics of Elfland, what does Chesterton name as the first principle of democracy?

5. Why, earlier in Chapter One, does Chesterton tell the story of the sailor?

Short Essay Questions

1. Poetry is the only thing that keeps a man sane, while reason drives him insane. How does Chesterton support this argument, and is it plausible?

2. Materialism is a much narrower belief than Christianity, in fact, more than any religion. What reasons does Chesterton give for this? How does it relate to the discussion of madness and sanity?

3. "But it is a much more massive and important fact that he [the materialist] is not free to raise, to curse, the thank, to justify, to urge, the punish, to resist temptation, to incite mobs, to make New Year resolutions, to pardon sinners, to rebuke tyrants, or even to say 'thank you' for the mustard" (Chesterton 2000, pg 185). What is the context for this statement? Does it logically follow from Chesterton's argument?

4. Materialistic fatalism has been credited with being merciful, though Chesterton says this is far from the truth. Why can fatalism not be merciful?

5. Chesterton asserts that though the world has its share of evils, the modern virtues actually have a more devastating effect. How does he support this radical idea? What relationship does this have to Christianity?

6. Considering the fact that elf land is more rational than the scientific world is, why does Chesterton say that magic flourishes in elf land?

7. Humility is chiefly understood chiefly as a restraint on a man's arrogance and boasting. What is Chesterton's argument concerning humility? What example does he give to illustrate a humble view of the world?

8. The second problem with modern thought is that it is intellectually weak and helpless. What does Chesterton mean by this idea? How is it manifested in everyday life, much less intellectual circles?

9. Why does Chesterton say that the act of willing is a limiting act? Could it be freeing instead? What happens if you attempt to free something from the laws of its nature?

10. What role does Mr. G. S. Street play in the book?

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