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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. Who does Merton say gave him the only valuable religious and moral training he had received?
(a) His mother.
(b) His teachers.
(c) His grandfather.
(d) His father.

2. Who are Pop and Bonnemaman?
(a) Thomas Merton's grandparents.
(b) Friends of his father.
(c) People he met at school.
(d) Neighbors of his mother.

3. What author was an enduring influence on Merton?
(a) John Donne.
(b) G.M. Hopkins.
(c) William Blake.
(d) William Faulkner.

4. How does Merton feel about Catholicism when he first goes to the university?
(a) He believes in it completely.
(b) He believes it represents the character of God.
(c) He wants to avoid everything about it.
(d) He thinks it is mysterious and secretive.

5. What is aseitas?
(a) A word applied to monks.
(b) An idea Merton thinks is without value.
(c) A Catholic concept regarding God.
(d) A medical condition.

Short Answer Questions

1. When does Bonnemaman die?

2. Where did Merton spend his school holidays?

3. What did Pop do that embarrassed Merton?

4. What lessens Merton's fear of Catholicism?

5. What error does Merton think Protestants commit?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Merton describe his visions of monastery cloisters?

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

5. What prompts Merton to attend his first Mass?

6. What impact does World War II have on Merton in Part 2, Chapter 2?

7. How did Merton feel about moving to England?

8. How does Merton handle his spiritual condition upon returning from Cuba?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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