View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Significant events can be related to which of the following?

2. Eventually Freddy's friendships are strong enough that he feels he can talk about which of the following?

3. What type of hat did grandpa wear?

4. The grandmother was known for seeking out the ______ qualities in people.

5. At this point in the story, Buechner decides to move to which city?

Short Essay Questions

1. Examine Freddy's new life in boarding school. How does Freddy relate to the other kids?

2. Explain Buechner's "beyond time" moment with a former school friend. What is the realization that comes from the event?

3. What positive event occurred at the end of the weekend at the monastery?

4. What new goal does Freddy set at this time? What is the main hindrance to the goal?

5. How is the friend situation resolved? What does Freddy learn from the experience?

6. Discuss the influence of Mr. Martin on Freddy. What does Freddy learn from Martin? What step does Freddy take next?

7. Examine Freddy's experience at the monastery. Did it turn out as planned?

8. How does Freddy view Naya? What do the woman and the boy have in common? What is special about the woman?

9. How does religion begin to creep into Freddy's work? What comparisons are made to other works of art?

10. Discuss Freddy's basic training. What causes Freddy to make adjustments? What does Freddy learn?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Foreshadowing is used several times in the book. Point out the three strongest examples of foreshadowing used by the author. Explain each. Do you think the foreshadowing was intentional or did it happen as a matter of course? Discuss.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,082 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample