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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 was the name of Grandmother's father?

2. This behavior may indicate which characteristic in Freddy?

3. Buechner compares theology to which of the following?

4. What type of creatures inhabited the inlet where Buechner learned to swim?

5. Buechner recalls that the empty house was as frail as _____.

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the reference Buechner makes to Dylan Thomas. Which poem is mentioned? What is the theme explored by Buechner?

2. What are Buechner's thoughts regarding adulthood and emotional maturity?

3. What came out of this experience regarding the noise in a person's every day life?

4. In the author's mind, how does a person leave an indelible mark on another's soul?

5. What was the purpose of writing a memoir at such a young age?

6. Discuss the scenario around the death of Freddy's father.

7. Discuss the duplicity of Freddy's father and how it affects the child.

8. What is Buechner's advice to his readers?

9. What is Freddy's opinion regarding the memories of the dead?

10. Discuss the presence of Grandma Buechner. How close is the family to the grandmother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Buechner's years at Princeton. What were his majors? Who did Buechner meet while at school? Who were his friends? What types of activities did Buechner prefer? In which subjects did Buechner excel? How did college change Freddy's financial situation? How was Freddy's relationship to his family during this time?

Essay Topic 2

Freddy was sent to Germany to fight in World War II. Discuss the assignment. What was the purpose of the assignment? When was Buechner deployed? How long was he in Germany? What type of emotional disturbance did Freddy experience while on a mission? What had Freddy been ordered to do? What happened next? How did the situation affect Freddy's life?

Essay Topic 3

The author spends a great deal of time seeking answers. What types of questions are Buechner most likely to ask? Who does Freddy turn to for wisdom and guidance? Does the author find the answers to the questions he needs answered the most? Explain. Have you ever experienced any similar situations? What was the outcome? Do you think the author will ever receive answers to all of his questions? Explain. Also discuss the overall journey for truth that is relayed in the text.

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