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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 did Van pray for when he met Joy?

2. What comforted Van when he learns of C.S. Lewis' death?

3. How does Van decide to honor Davy's memory?

4. Where did Van go at the end of the book?

5. Why did Van go to Oxford in "Epilogue: The Second Death?"

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Van write letters to several friends in "The Way of Grief?"

2. How did Van reflect on time in "The Severe Mercy?"

3. How did Lewis reflect on time in "The Severe Mercy?"

4. What happened when Davy slips into a coma?

5. What happened to Joy's health?

6. What did Davy do when she returned home after being in the hospital?

7. Why did Van become jealous of Davy's religious practices in "The Barrier Breached?"

8. How did Davy help the hospital staff?

9. Why did Davy bargain with God in "The Barrier Breached?"

10. What was the Illumination of the Past?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is faith a theme in this book? How does faith affect the characters and the plot? What is the author's message about faith?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the theme of privacy in this book. Show how the author uses this theme to explore religion.

Essay Topic 3

Sailing is a dream of Van's and referenced often. Explore the symbolism of sailing and life on the sea. How does this symbol help develop the book?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 563 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample