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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. When was Merton's brother born?

2. What is the significance of Zion Church to Merton?

3. What political activities does Merton participate in at the university?

4. When was Thomas Merton born?

5. How did Merton's parents foster his love for the monastic life?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Merton do while waiting to enter the monastery?

3. What does his teaching job at St. Bonaventure mean to Merton?

4. What important event takes place after Merton's acceptance into the monastery?

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

6. Describe Merton's reaction to his brother's baptism.

7. How does Merton describe his feelings about the monasteries of Gethsemani and St. Francis of Assisi in Part 3, Chapter 2?

8. What does Merton try to express in this first chapter?

9. Why does Merton love the "fourth floor" at Columbia?

10. Why does Merton attend Zion Church?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Merton's relationship with sports is complicated. He participates in them, but doesn't feel that he has the ability to excel. Compare and contrast the benefits and disadvantages Merton receives from playing sports at Columbia. What does his choice of sports tell the reader about his personality?

Essay Topic 2

Early on in his spiritual quest Merton believes Catholicism to be mysterious and secretive, and he also believes that Protestants commit many "errors" in their religious observance. Compare and contrast these beliefs and discuss the ways Merton's criticism of these two major religions moves him further on the path toward becoming a monk.

Essay Topic 3

Merton spends considerable time feeling guilty about his visits to bars in New York and what he does there. Why does Merton continue to do things he considers to be sinful, and how do Merton's repeated adventures in New York bars impact his desire to be a priest?

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