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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 a certain kind of reader the "cognoscenti." What kind of a reader is her referring to?
(a) Young readers.
(b) Snobbish readers.
(c) Skeptical readers.
(d) Well-informed readers.

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

3. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," where does Foster say editorial content can usually be found in the newspaper?
(a) In its own section.
(b) The last page or pages of the front section.
(c) Throughout most sections.
(d) At the very end of the last section.

4. 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) Political.
(b) Technical.
(c) Informational.
(d) Academic.

5. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," what does Foster say distinguishes the prologue from a preface?
(a) The word preface is generally only used for fiction.
(b) The word prologue is generally only used for fiction.
(c) The word preface is generally only used with narratives.
(d) The word prologue is generally only used with narratives.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," Foster says that rules are determined by content, not codex. What does this mean?

2. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what does Foster call the rules governing different forms of nonfiction?

3. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," what does Foster give as the basic meaning of "preface," "prologue," and "foreward"?

4. In Chapter 4, "The Parts You Don't Read," what part of a text does Foster say is "under-read"? (39).

5. 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?

(see the answer key)

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