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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter 6, "Source Code," what consequence does Foster say the rise of the internet has had?
(a) A lack of respect for, and recognition of, expertise.
(b) A decline in the average American's reading ability.
(c) A new respect for minority opinions.
(d) A rise in people's awareness of current events.

2. In Chapter 6, "Source Code," what does Foster say about the proliferation of online sources?
(a) They offer marginalized voices a chance to be heard.
(b) They make everything seem like nonsense.
(c) They are often carefully sourced.
(d) They democratize media.

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

4. In Chapter 8, "Bringing the News," one of the main points that Foster wants to make about All the President's Men is what?
(a) Woodward and Bernstein faced serious obstacles in investigating the Watergate story.
(b) It is unusual for people to write about themselves in the third person.
(c) All the President's Men is a work of nonfiction.
(d) Woodward and Bernstein used too many anonymous sources.

5. In Chapter 5, "It May Just Be Me, But..." what does Foster say is usually the difference between quoted anonymous sources and sources speaking "on background"?
(a) Reporters are not usually asked to verify information obtained in a quote, but they are supposed to double-check information given "on background."
(b) The only difference is actually whether the information is quoted or paraphrased.
(c) Quoted anonymous sources are more likely to be accurate than information obtained "on background."
(d) Background sources tend to be highly-placed officials, while anonymous sources tend to be leakers.

6. In Chapter 8, "Bringing the News," Foster makes the point that during the Nassar scandal, the Lansing State Journal did what?
(a) Devoted its resources fully to the story and stuck with it over a long period of time.
(b) Covered the breaking news and then allowed local magazines to take over coverage.
(c) Covered the scandal primarily as a sports story.
(d) Initially helped Michigan State University cover up the story but later pivoted to full coverage.

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

8. 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) Skeptical readers.
(b) Well-informed readers.
(c) Young readers.
(d) Snobbish readers.

9. 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) At the very end of the last section.
(d) Throughout most sections.

10. In Chapter 7, "All in How You Look at Things," Foster says that which type of nonfiction is usually better off starting at the beginning chronologically?
(a) History.
(b) Philosophy.
(c) Reportage.
(d) Biography.

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

12. 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) Grammar.
(d) Laws.

13. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what does Foster call the "second draft of history"?
(a) Editorial columns.
(b) Magazine stories.
(c) Textbooks.
(d) Newspaper articles.

14. In Chapter 8, "Bringing the News," what reason does Foster give for journalists generally being proved correct despite public mistrust?
(a) Intelligence.
(b) Stubbornness.
(c) Professionalism.
(d) Strategy.

15. 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 miniature explosive device.
(c) A short, satirical piece of writing.
(d) The misfire of a gun due to insufficient force.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 8, "Bringing the News," one of the main points that Foster wants to make about All the President's Men is that it is a kind of writing he calls what?

2. In Chapter 8, "Bringing the News," Foster describes the Larry Nassar scandal as an illustration of what?

3. In Chapter 7, "All in How You Look at Things," Whome does Foster say is "our greatest living thinker about writing nonfiction" (81)?

4. In Chapter 7, "All in How You Look at Things," Foster makes what point about newspaper articles?

5. In Chapter 5, "It May Just Be Me, But..." what does Foster say about offering a source the chance to correct themselves if they claim that they misspoke?

(see the answer keys)

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