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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter 14, "The Universe of Ideas/Ideas of the Universe," why does Foster introduce the example of Malcolm Gladwell?
(a) To illustrate the idea of a science writer who has developed a "brand" for his writing.
(b) To provide an example of amateur profiling.
(c) To contrast with the more rigorous writing of Neil deGrasse Tyson.
(d) To show how a clever writer can overcome public skepticism.

2. In Chapter 10, "From the Inside Out," why does Foster take the time to discuss the characteristic style of Barnes, Hitchens, and Robinson?
(a) To point out the "earnestness" of Robinson's writing.
(b) To illustrate how different the voice and style of essayists can be.
(c) To support his claim that there is an essayist for every kind of reader.
(d) To demonstrate that Barnes is the least interesting of the three writers.

3. In Chapter 14, "The Universe of Ideas/Ideas of the Universe," what criticism does Foster level against Malcolm Gladwell?
(a) That he offers so much data it can be difficult to follow his arguments.
(b) That he does not examine data critically enough.
(c) That he tries to write outside of his own field.
(d) That he does not try to engage the reader.

4. In Chapter 15, "Reading Internet Sources," what does Foster call the "fatal flaw" of the internet?
(a) Too many editors.
(b) The hierarchy of gatekeepers.
(c) A lack of quality control.
(d) The cost of connecting to it.

5. In Chapter 12, "Life from the Inside," what advantage does Foster say elapsed time gives to historical accounts?
(a) Objectivity.
(b) Accuracy.
(c) Perspective.
(d) Immediacy.

6. In Chapter 9, "Living the News," which authors does Foster point out as not engaged in New Journalism?
(a) Breslin and Talese.
(b) Mailer and Didion.
(c) Woodward and Bernstein.
(d) Capote and Agee.

7. In Chapter 14, "The Universe of Ideas/Ideas of the Universe," what does Foster say is true about contemporary America?
(a) Americans are educated to read science critically.
(b) America is the most scientifically advanced nation on earth.
(c) Many Americans are antiscientific.
(d) There is not much great science writing going on in America today.

8. In "Interrogating the Text," Foster says that source material should be "apt." He means that source material should be what?
(a) Authoritative.
(b) Clearly attributed.
(c) Logically related to the arguments being advanced.
(d) Contextualized through editorial comments.

9. In Chapter 15, "Reading Internet Sources," what does Foster say the main role of editors is?
(a) Proofreading.
(b) Protecting the interests of media owners.
(c) Critical thinking.
(d) Protecting the interests of the public.

10. In Chapter 11, "Life from the Inside," what form does Foster say takes its name from the French term for reminiscence?
(a) Biography.
(b) Autobiography.
(c) Memoir.
(d) Confessions.

11. In Chapter 13, "On the Stump," Foster says that a look at social media reveals what about Americans of all political persuasions?
(a) Many on both sides are blind to what makes America great.
(b) They have lost touch with reality.
(c) They are eager for a leader who will heal political divisions.
(d) Many on both sides are strong critical thinkers.

12. In Chapter 13, "On the Stump," Foster says that Omarosa "uses her first name mononymously" (188). What does this mean about her use of her first name?
(a) She uses her last (family) name as her first (personal) name.
(b) She uses it for professional work, but it is not her real first name.
(c) She uses a nickname as her first name, but it is not her legal first name.
(d) She uses it alone, as a one-word name, without her last name.

13. In Chapter 15, "Reading Internet Sources," Foster refers to ARPANET. What is ARPANET?
(a) The governmental body that regulates the internet.
(b) A writer's group that works toward accuracy on the web.
(c) An early government computer network.
(d) The first computer browser.

14. In Chapter 12, "Life from the Inside," what advantage does Foster say contemporaneous accounts have?
(a) They allow the reader to understand the world as it is in the present.
(b) They offer a narrower--and therefore easier to understand--view of history.
(c) They offer a long view on historical events.
(d) They allow the writer to consult sources from a variety of viewpoints.

15. In Chapter 12, "Life from the Inside," what does Foster suggest that Ambrose loses by choosing to focus on Lewis?
(a) The chance to engage a wider audience of readers.
(b) Information about what happened after Lewis's death.
(c) A variety of perspectives.
(d) The reader's trust.

Short Answer Questions

1. Whom does Foster name, in Chapter 11, "Life from the Inside," as the "inheritors" (164) of the legacy of Apologia Pro Vita Sua?

2. In Chapter 12, "Life from the Inside," Foster says that an author of a history about long-ago events is not really so much a reporter as a what?

3. In Chapter 13, "On the Stump," Foster says that the chief aim of Fire and Fury is to demonstrate what?

4. In Chapter 14, "The Universe of Ideas/Ideas of the Universe," what are two reasons Foster points to for disbelief in science?

5. In Chapter 12, "Life from the Inside," Foster calls Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation "pointillist" (179). What quality is he saying this book has?

(see the answer keys)

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