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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 does Chesterton call the cross "the symbol at once of mystery and of health?" (Chesterton 2000, pg. 188).
(a) Its arms extend throughout the whole world.
(b) It does not represent the closed system of Eastern thought.
(c) Its shocking history draws believers in.
(d) Its power contradicts its history.

2. According to Chesterton, at the beginning of Chapter Two, what happens to the men who believe in themselves?
(a) They are never properly appreciated.
(b) They end up in insane asylums.
(c) They achieve far more than other men do.
(d) They have difficulty maintaining that belief.

3. As Chesterton explains the origin of the word, the moon is the mother of which group of people?
(a) Believers.
(b) Priests.
(c) Lunatics.
(d) Atheists.

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

5. In Chapter Two, what drives a man to insanity?
(a) Poetry.
(b) Unanswered questions.
(c) Reason.
(d) Religion.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Mr. Street?

2. What choice faces the modern religious philosopher, according to Chesterton?

3. According to Chesterton, when is a disease beautiful?

4. What does Chesterton name as the chief pleasure?

5. What, according to Chesterton, is the proper place for humility?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the example of the explorer who only discovers his own land, Chesterton says that his first emotion might be foolishness. This should not be the sole emotion, though. Why does Chesterton name foolishness as the first emotion and how might this fit the religious explorer?

2. "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?

3. What does a pragmatist believe and how does he compare to a determinist? What is Chesterton's opinion of pragmatism? How is pragmatism fundamentally separated from the truth?

4. In Chapter IV, The Ethics of Elfland, what does Chesterton give as the first two principles of democracy? How does he convey a sense of wonder even in these principles?

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

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

7. What does Chesterton say is the spirit of the law in fairy land? Why is this not inconsistent?

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. What is "the false theory of progress" (Chesterton 2000, pg 196)? What implications does it have for daily life?

(see the answer keys)

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