The Choice Ch 5

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Questions and Answers

What caused the Mark's feeling of emptiness after completing the book?

Fear of negative feedback from the editor.

Loss of financial security.

The end of a familiar routine. (correct)

Feeling distanced from family.

What was the first task Louise reminded Markto do?

Buy gifts for the children.

Decorate the house for Christmas.

Send out holiday cards.

Choose a Christmas tree. (correct)

What was notably different about the children's Christmas wish lists this year?

They were unusually long.

They did not include any items.

They included practical gifts.

There was only one item on each list. (correct)

How did Louise modify the children's allowance before Christmas?

She cut their allowance and packed their lunches. Signup and view all the answers

What emotion was Louise struggling with while discussing the children's gift lists?

Sadness. Signup and view all the answers

What financial situation were Mark and Louise facing during the holidays?

They had limited funds for necessities and gifts. Signup and view all the answers

How did Mark and Louise typically manage their finances when they first started out?

They huddled over the kitchen table to decide on priorities. Signup and view all the answers

What condition did Louise set regarding their Christmas spending?

Mark would handle all the wrapping. Signup and view all the answers

What did Todd want to buy for Louise for Christmas?

A teddy bear. Signup and view all the answers

What was Mark’s reaction to Todd's desire to buy the teddy bear?

He charged the purchase on his credit card. Signup and view all the answers

What reflection did Mark have while kneeling beside his sons on Christmas Eve?

He felt grateful for his blessings and remembered the original Christmas. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge did Mark and Louise face when shopping for their children?

Balancing their limited purchases equally between the boys. Signup and view all the answers

What emotions did Mark feel while shopping for Christmas gifts?

Excitement and joy despite the challenges. Signup and view all the answers

What did Glenn do on Christmas Eve that demonstrated his awareness of Todd's belief in Santa Claus?

He chose to sleep in another room to protect Todd's belief. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the lighthouse during the holiday season?

To hide the Christmas gifts from the children. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Financial Challenges

The family is facing financial difficulties, as they are living on a limited budget.
The author's wife, Louise, has been managing the finances for years, paying bills as they came due and allowing the author to focus on his work.
The author has realized their financial situation and is feeling guilty for not being more aware of their expenses.
They have decided to set a limit of 100foreachchild′sChristmasgiftsand100 for each child's Christmas gifts and 100foreachchild′sChristmasgiftsand50 for each other.

Christmas Shopping

The author and his wife spend two weeks shopping for Christmas gifts.
They shop in Keene, Peterborough, and Boston.
The author's son, Todd, asks his father to buy a large teddy bear for his mother as a Christmas gift.
The author agrees to buy the teddy bear, despite their limited budget, as it's important to Todd.

Christmas Eve

The author and his wife wrap gifts in the lighthouse, their sons' bedroom is off-limits.
The author's sons sleep together in one room on Christmas Eve.
The author prays while watching his sons sleep.
The author feels grateful for his family and reflects on the birth of Jesus.

Christmas Morning

The author gives his wife a blank book with an inscription.
The author's wife names the lighthouse the Tower of Success, in honor of his writing.
The author's wife gives him a copy of Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, which belonged to the previous owner of the lighthouse.

Joshua Croydon

Joshua Croydon was the previous owner of the lighthouse.
Croydon's wife left the author a desk and a typewriter.
The author's wife found a copy of Bartlett's Familiar Quotations with Croydon’s inscription inside.
The author's wife discovers that Croydon circled a quotation from a poem by James Elroy Flecker.

The Poem

The poem Croydon circled is "To a Poet a Thousand Years Hence," by James Elroy Flecker.
Croydon circled the following lines: “Since I can never see your face, And never shake you by the hand, I send my soul through time and space To greet you.You will understand.”
The poem suggests that Croydon was encouraging the author.

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Description

This quiz explores the family's financial struggles while budgeting for Christmas gifts. It discusses the author's realizations about their expenses and planning a limited budget for their children and each other. Discover how they manage their financial challenges during the holiday season.