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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Viorst, in middle age we inspire far less ________ than we do ___________.
(a) Respect; pity.
(b) Hatred; love.
(c) Lust; respect.
(d) Admiration; annoyance.

2. What are we often unaware of that we bring with us into a marriage?
(a) The Oedipus complex.
(b) Our parent's relationship.
(c) The unfinished business of childhood.
(d) Perfect love.

3. Which philosopher does Viorst quote in Chapter 14?
(a) Friedrich Nietzsche
(b) Leo Tolstoy
(c) Soren Kierkegaard
(d) Karl Marx

4. According to Viorst, "A new dream will arise when we begin to have our babies..." What is it?
(a) The dream of them becoming successful.
(b) The dream of them moving out and going to college.
(c) The dream of creating an amazing and perfect human.
(d) The dream of keeping them safe from harm.

5. How many stages are there in the journey towards death according to Kubler-Ross?
(a) Three.
(b) Two.
(c) Five.
(d) Ten.

6. What is the name of the son in Death of a Salesman that Viorst uses as an example of the restricting roles some parents foist on their children?
(a) Biff.
(b) Jeff.
(c) Jonathan.
(d) William.

7. The title of Chapter 12 lists what?
(a) Types of teenagers.
(b) Types of friendships.
(c) Types of adults.
(d) Types of parenting styles.

8. According to Chapter 12, growing up involves giving up what illusion?
(a) That death is inevitable.
(b) That the universe revolves around us.
(c) That our parents are perfect.
(d) That friendship is infallible.

9. Viorst references The World According to Garp and a mishearing of this term by a child.
(a) Tsunami.
(b) Undertow.
(c) Thunder.
(d) Earthquake.

10. In Chapter 16, Viorst quotes which psychologist who wrote the book Loss?
(a) John Bowlby.
(b) Erich Fromm.
(c) Erik Erikson.
(d) Jean Piaget.

11. Which famous family does Viorst mention in Chapter 15?
(a) The Carnegies.
(b) The Kennedys.
(c) The Windsors.
(d) The Vanderbilts.

12. Which famous author wrote this about the loss of his cherished wife: "The first plunge of the knife into the flesh is felt again and again"?
(a) Charles Dickens.
(b) Victor Hugo.
(c) J.R.R. Tolkien.
(d) C.S. Lewis.

13. To what was Richard Steele referring in the following quote? "... the compleatest image of heaven and hell we are capable of receiving in this life."
(a) Friendship.
(b) Marriage.
(c) Family.
(d) Death.

14. According to Chapter 13, there can be no human love without what?
(a) A caring parental relationship.
(b) Fear.
(c) Passion and romance.
(d) Ambivalence.

15. What is the "corporate characteristic" that Viorst mentions in Chapter 15?
(a) A family's medical history.
(b) A family's business or legacy.
(c) A family's community involvement.
(d) A family's collective character.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the name of the married woman with four children, mentioned in Chapter 12, who formed a non-sexual friendship with another man?

2. Who else, besides mothers, links separation and danger?

3. Viorst quotes this book, written by Kathrin Perutz, in Chapter 13.

4. A capacity to feel pleasure in the pleasures of other people is an example of what?

5. Madame Bovary uses what metaphor to describe marriage?

(see the answer keys)

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