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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 impresses Merton about St. Antonin?

2. What do the Columbia Review and the Spectator have in common?

3. What profession does Tom encourage Merton to prepare for?

4. How old was Merton when he went to his first Mass?

5. What keeps Merton from athletic participation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What impact does Merton's dental health have on his life?

2. What is the significance of Bob Lax in the Epilogue?

3. What are some of the internal struggles Merton faces in Part 1, Chapter 3?

4. What does the image of John Paul waving from the car suggest to Merton?

5. What was important for Merton to find in a teacher?

6. How is it shown in Part 1, Chapter 3, that literature was important in Merton's life?

7. Why does Merton attend Zion Church?

8. What finally influences Merton to try to join the priesthood?

9. How does Merton feel about living with his father's friends after his mother's death?

10. What is Merton's reaction to having to withdraw his application to the monastery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Merton becomes involved with the student publications at Columbia University. Discuss in detail how working on these publications affects Merton's writing career and his spiritual quest.

Essay Topic 2

As an adult, Merton continues to feel guilty about the way he treated his younger brother when they were children. Describe how this guilt is illustrated in the book. In your opinion, was Merton right to feel guilty?

Essay Topic 3

Merton loves his grandfather, but is also embarrassed by his actions. Does Merton show any contradictory feelings about anything or anyone else in his life? What actions does he take in response to these feelings?

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