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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. Based on Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," how would Foster sum up the place of newspapers in today's world?
(a) Although they are losing popularity, they are still an essential form of news media.
(b) Because we have invested heavily in modern newspapers, they have grown in popularity.
(c) In a connected world, newspapers are simply irrelevant.
(d) Print newspapers may be obsolete, but online newspapers serve the same purpose.

2. According to "The Building Blocks of Arguments," what purpose do warrants serve?
(a) Warrants link claims and grounds.
(b) Warrants explain counterclaims.
(c) Warrants are like conclusions.
(d) Warrants provide evidence.

3. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what does Foster say is the difference between "hard news" and "soft news"?
(a) Hard news is focused on difficult truths; soft news is about making the reader feel good.
(b) Hard news is fact-focused, basic news gathering; soft news is generally lengthier and less objective.
(c) Hard news is focused on statistics and data; soft news is focused on investigations and exposés.
(d) Hard news is truth-focused; soft news permits some inaccuracy.

4. In Chapter 4, "The Parts You Don't Read," what part of a text does Foster say is "under-read"? (39).
(a) Introductions.
(b) The table of contents.
(c) Titles.
(d) The index.

5. In Chapter 1, "The Structure of Nonfiction Information," what does Foster mean when he uses the word "dichotomy"?
(a) A narrative told in the order in which events really happened.
(b) A division between opposite things.
(c) Something relatively unknown.
(d) The study of social policy.

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

2. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," Foster mentions a "squib." What is a squib, in this context?

3. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," Foster uses the word "etymologically" to describe what?

4. 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?

5. The section of this book called "What's Going on Around Here?" is what part of the book?

(see the answer key)

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