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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 1: Chapter 1, "The Structure of Nonaction Information" through Chapter 4, "The Parts You Don't Read".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," Foster calls an expression a "bromide." What is he saying about this expression?
(a) It is insightful but wordy.
(b) It is clever and concise.
(c) It is boring and mean-spirited.
(d) It is unoriginal and unimportant.

2. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what problem does Foster say can arise if readers do not understand the forms of writing?
(a) Readers may expect the wrong things from the form they are reading.
(b) Readers may have unreasonably high standards.
(c) Readers may misunderstand the purpose of the form they are reading.
(d) Readers may be disappointed by the content of their reading.

3. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," how does Foster define "specialty journalism"?
(a) Editorial writing.
(b) The newspaper sports section.
(c) Feature writing.
(d) Forms of journalism devoted to a single subject area.

4. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," Foster mentions a "squib." What is a squib, in this context?
(a) The misfire of a gun due to insufficient force.
(b) A non-magical person born to wizards.
(c) A miniature explosive device.
(d) A short, satirical piece of writing.

5. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," Foster notes that the expectation for a writer to be engaging does not apply to which types of writing?
(a) Technical.
(b) Informational.
(c) Academic.
(d) Political.

Short Answer Questions

1. The section of this book called "The Books in the Book" is what part of the book?

2. According to "The Building Blocks of Arguments," what are the "grounds" of a argument?

3. According to "The Building Blocks of Arguments," what is the implicit argument of most nonfiction writing?

4. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what does Foster say is the difference between "hard news" and "soft news"?

5. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," Foster calls a certain kind of reader the "cognoscenti." What kind of a reader is her referring to?

(see the answer key)

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