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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 2.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Dillard say many people prefer to the written word?
(a) Film.
(b) TV.
(c) Life.
(d) Recordings.

2. Oftentimes, what part of Dillard's work must be edited out?
(a) The opening paragraph.
(b) The dialogue.
(c) The typos and misspellings.
(d) The best-written part.

3. As explained by Dillard in Chapter 1, what must be done to a piece of writing after the first draft is finished?
(a) It must be mercilessly edited.
(b) Delete just a few sentences.
(c) You must strike it with a hammer.
(d) Nothing; it is done.

4. Who is the Danish aristocrat mentioned in Chapter 2?
(a) Sverre Magnus.
(b) Osip Mandelstam.
(c) Wilhelm Dinesen.
(d) Wallace Stevens.

5. How many hours of sleep would Jack London usually get?
(a) Two.
(b) Eight.
(c) Four.
(d) Seven.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Dillard do one night in the rare book room of the Virginia library?

2. When Dillard once wrote in a cinder-block cell, what scene did it overlook?

3. When Dillard is watching symbols move on her monitor, which sends back numbers to her, what is it her job to do?

4. Jack London maintained that every writer needs a technique, experience, and what else?

5. What did Wallace Stevens dictate to his secretary?

(see the answer key)

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