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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Dillard says that if plants had emotions, she would applaud this:

2. Silvery eels swim to the sea after eight years of maturing in obscure creeks and rivers. What happens to them at the sea?

3. How does the author see the violence in the natural world?

4. Dillard believes that if she waits patiently with no anticipation of what is to come, this will happen.

5. The development of science leads to what, according to the author?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dillard understands the world of predators better than that of parasites. She writes that at least one has a fighting chance when up against a predator. Why do you think she felt this way? Use examples in your discussion of the behavior of parasites and predators.

Essay Topic 2

Describe some of the scenes Dillard writes of from winters in her past. What had she observed that was cruel? What that was compassionate? Do you think winter lends itself more to cruel behavior than kindness? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Dillard's story about the tomcat in chapter one. Why did Dillard include this story in the book? What might be the meaning of this story?

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This section contains 313 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample