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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When the middle-aged woman sees Annie trying to fly, how does she react?

2. Which of the following is NOT an adjective Annie uses to describe the boys at her weekly lessons?

3. Which of the following materials is used to make most of the streets in Annie's neighborhood?

4. Which of the following characters has a little black notebook used for recording great jokes?

5. How old is Annie when she first borrowes "The Fields and Streams of Pittsburgh" from the library?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Annie feel about the Catholic religion as a child?

2. How does Annie Dillard describe Pittsburgh in the 18th century?

3. Why does Annie Dillard's father leave home for a few months when she is a small girl, and what brings him back?

4. How does Annie react to each of her sisters when they were born?

5. How does Annie describe life for the typical family after WWII?

6. How does Annie feel about the boys she takes dance lessons with in school?

7. How does Father react when Annie digs up an old coin in the alleyway near their home?

8. What is Mother's favorite joke about the brick and the little black poodle?

9. What does Annie remember most about the destruction of her neighborhood from the tornado?

10. How does Annie react when her mother forced her to greet the neighborhood nuns?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Annie frequently claims that young children have no sense of wonder. What does Annie mean by this statement? Explain Annie's views on children and imagination. Then, explain whether or not Annie is an exception or an example of her theory on childhood wonderment, and why.

Essay Topic 2

As a child, Annie collected many things. Give at least two examples of elaborate collections Annie created in her childhood, and what those collections meant to her. Then, explain how her childhood collections may have led Annie to a life of writing as an adult.

Essay Topic 3

Annie frequently discusses feeling profoundly inspired when she walks into a library. First, give at least two examples of times with the inspiration of books overwhelmed Annie. Then, briefly explain how Annie's inspiration from books changed as she matured.

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This section contains 898 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample