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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. How does Chesterton's example of the blue world explain modernity's attitude toward progress?
(a) If a man always works toward a blue world, he will eventually succeed.
(b) Man can begin with the desire for a blue world but should not end there.
(c) Man must not be sidetracked onto changing every aspect of his world.
(d) Man's desire for a blue world is only illusory.

2. According to Chesterton, what is the problem with moving slowly toward justice?
(a) People cannot make just decisions in a large amount of time.
(b) The definition of justice changes too often in that time.
(c) It does not allow a man to move swiftly toward a better state of things.
(d) A man will only be able to act on old ideas.

3. What is Pimlico?
(a) A dreary American town.
(b) Chesterton's favorite dog.
(c) A dreary English town.
(d) An English newspaper.

4. Why are people who admire Christianity, but do not believe it, uncomfortable?
(a) Christianity was valid in the past but may not continue to be valid.
(b) Christianity is elaborately right.
(c) Christianity has only a few answers for their problems.
(d) Christianity has philosophical answers but not realistic answers.

5. In general, what does Chesterton say is a liberal clergyman's attitude toward miracles?
(a) Only particular people can perform miracles.
(b) They do not exist.
(c) They existed only in Biblical times.
(d) They exist.

Short Answer Questions

1. Chesterton names four standards by which people try to establish the ideals of equality and inequality. What is the first?

2. Why does Christianity mark the graves of the martyr and the suicide?

3. Why, according to Christianity, can passions be free?

4. What does Chesterton call the worst religion of all?

5. As he began to consider Christianity, what lifted Chesterton's heart and made him happy?

Short Essay Questions

1. Chapter V, The Flag of the World, begins with a young girl's idea that "An optimist is a man who looks after your eyes, and a pessimist is a man who looks after your feet" (Chesterton 2000, pg 223). How does Chesterton explain this?

2. Near the beginning of Chapter VII, The Eternal Revolution, Chesterton makes an argument concerning superiority. What is this argument? Does he satisfy the question fully?

3. What argument does Chesterton make for keeping joy and anger separate? What is the danger in letting them meld together to produce some form of contentment?

4. How does Chesterton explain the modern view of miracles? Is this view contradictory?

5. The Church holds to some strict doctrines regarding man and his actions. Why is she so strict? Is it possible for her to swerve in her beliefs?

6. How do Eastern and Western religions differ in their understanding of seclusion in worship, according to Chesterton? How does this affect their sense of community?

7. What does Chesterton say is the most sensible ideal for nature? Is this a valid ideal? Why or why not?

8. How does Chesterton explain pantheism's relation to wonder? What is the primary difference between pantheism and action?

9. At the end of Chapter V, The Flag of the World, what transformation does Chesterton describe? How did the transformation address his question of optimism and pessimism?

10. What is the first time that Chesterton felt he had stumbled onto a path that was familiar to some? How did Christianity mirror his own thoughts?

(see the answer keys)

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