View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through "Why I Write," "Telling Stories" .

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In "Telling Stories," how many places had Didion lived by the time she took English 106A?
(a) 12.
(b) 2.
(c) 8.
(d) 25.

2. Which of Joan's relatives does she show her college rejection letter to in "On Being Unchosen by the College of One's Choice"?
(a) Her cousin.
(b) Her sister.
(c) Her niece.
(d) Her daughter.

3. What is one of the words Didion uses to describe the way the Hearsts spend their money in "A Trip to Xanadu"?
(a) Flamboyance.
(b) Conservatively.
(c) Responsibility.
(d) Frivolously.

4. In "Telling Stories," what does Didion say compelled her to try writing short stories again after 10 years?
(a) Her boredom with long prose.
(b) A lack of ideas.
(c) The fear she would not write another novel.
(d) Her interest in portraying a window into someone's world.

5. How old is Nancy's daughter Patti in "Pretty Nancy"?
(a) 19.
(b) 12.
(c) 15.
(d) 8.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Walter Davis feel his perspective on war has changed in "Fathers, Sons, Screaming Eagles"?

2. In "On Being Unchosen by the College of One's Choice," what does Joan say her father did when she told him of her rejection letter?

3. In "A Trip to Xanadu," what is the name of the pool at San Simeon?

4. What is the name of the castle Didion discusses at the start of "A Trip to Xanadu"?

5. Where does Skip tell Joan he was stationed while in the 101st Airborne in "Fathers, Sons, Screaming Eagles"?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 303 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample