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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 political activities does Merton participate in at the university?
(a) He is not involved with politics at the university.
(b) Church-sponsored lectures.
(c) Writing for political publications.
(d) Student demonstrations and meetings.

2. How does Merton react to his first exposure to death?
(a) With deep terror.
(b) With despair and foreboding.
(c) With fear and sadness.
(d) With innocence and curiosity.

3. Who does Merton say gave him the only valuable religious and moral training he had received?
(a) His mother.
(b) His grandfather.
(c) His father.
(d) His teachers.

4. Why does Merton say he was "truly happy" in England?
(a) Because he has many friends.
(b) Because he is learning to play cricket.
(c) Because he is living in England.
(d) Because he is sincerely religious for the first time.

5. Who is Bob Lax?
(a) A friend of Aunt Maude's from childhood.
(b) A Catholic man who leads Merton to the faith.
(c) A friend of Merton's who eventually becomes a Catholic.
(d) A friend of Merton's father who was a musician.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Merton find disappointing about the pastor at Zion Church?

2. What author was an enduring influence on Merton?

3. What authors have a particular effect on Merton at university?

4. With whom does Merton stay in England?

5. What impresses Merton about St. Antonin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What significant event in Merton's monastic life forms part of the Epilogue?

2. Why does Merton downgrade his ability to play sports?

3. What impact does World War II have on Merton in Part 2, Chapter 2?

4. Why does Merton want to enter the monastery early?

5. How does Merton feel about his younger brother?

6. Who does Merton credit with providing his only real religious training in Chapter 2?

7. What is the purpose of the essay in the Epilogue?

8. What does Merton gain during his summer in Olean?

9. How did Merton feel about moving to England?

10. Why was Merton's participation with student publications so satisfying to him?

(see the answer keys)

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