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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter 1, "The Structure of Nonfiction Information," Foster introduces the term "structural design," saying that it is similar to which term related to fiction?
(a) Narrative strategy.
(b) Story plan.
(c) Plot structure.
(d) Storyboard.

2. In Chapter 7, "All in How You Look at Things," Foster uses the Latin expression in media res. What does this expression mean?
(a) In narrative form.
(b) In the middle of things.
(c) In the form of a circle.
(d) In strict chronological order.

3. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what does Foster call the rules governing different forms of nonfiction?
(a) Precepts.
(b) Syntax.
(c) Laws.
(d) Grammar.

4. The section of this book called "The Books in the Book" is what part of the book?
(a) An appendix.
(b) A preface.
(c) A foreward.
(d) The introduction.

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?
(a) Readers may misunderstand the purpose of the form they are reading.
(b) Readers may have unreasonably high standards.
(c) Readers may be disappointed by the content of their reading.
(d) Readers may expect the wrong things from the form they are reading.

6. 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 miniature explosive device.
(c) A non-magical person born to wizards.
(d) A short, satirical piece of writing.

7. In Chapter 8, "Bringing the News," Foster describes the Larry Nassar scandal as an illustration of what?
(a) The ways in which trusted people can betray others.
(b) How major universities sometimes engage in cover ups.
(c) The importance of community newspapers.
(d) The difficulties of investigative journalism.

8. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what does Foster say is the point of having a variety of media sources?
(a) Time.
(b) Appealing to different readers.
(c) Depth of coverage.
(d) Accuracy.

9. In Chapter 4, "The Parts You Don't Read," what advice does Foster give about the copyright page?
(a) When reading as a part of research, never leave this page without recording the information it contains.
(b) This page is optional and readers should not expect to find it in every book.
(c) This page contains important information about where the author got pieces of information used in the text.
(d) This information is just a legal notice and most readers should just ignore it.

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

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

12. In Chapter 1, "The Structure of Nonfiction Information," what does Foster say the first job of the writer is, on page one?
(a) To create a personal bond with the reader.
(b) To be clear and concise.
(c) To get the reader to page two.
(d) To tell the truth.

13. 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) Something relatively unknown.
(c) The study of social policy.
(d) A division between opposite things.

14. In Chapter 6, "Source Code," where does Foster suggest writers should gather information about historical figures?
(a) Primary sources.
(b) History books.
(c) Newspaper archives.
(d) Biographies.

15. According to "The Building Blocks of Arguments," what are the "grounds" of a argument?
(a) The backing of a rebuttal or qualification.
(b) Explanations of the relationship between facts and claims.
(c) The conclusions that an argument is based on.
(d) Factual data and evidence.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 7, "All in How You Look at Things," Foster discusses Pollan's How to Change Your Mind as an example of what?

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

3. 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?

4. In Chapter 8, "Bringing the News," Foster maintains that types of newspaper writing like advice columns and human interest stories exist for what reason?

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

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