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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What are Didion and the TV crew there to observe Nancy doing in "Pretty Nancy"?
(a) Helping her son with his homework.
(b) Whatever she would do on an average Tuesday morning.
(c) Writing her memoir.
(d) Cooking for a dinner party.

2. In "Telling Stories," what Hemingway short story does Didion mention as an example of a writer's "absolute control" (54)?
(a) "Hills Like White Elephants."
(b) "A Clean Well-Lighted Place."
(c) "The Killers."
(d) "Snows of Kilimanjaro."

3. In "Pretty Nancy," Didion describes Nancy has having a smile of someone who did what?
(a) Grew up poor.
(b) Said something funny.
(c) Married a politician.
(d) Grew up in comfort.

4. In "Telling Stories," what short story does Didion discuss as an example of her lack of control in writing?
(a) "Home Sweet Home."
(b) "Leaving Home."
(c) "Telling Stories."
(d) "Coming Home."

5. What is the full name of the man Joan is speaking with at the start of "Fathers, Sons, Screaming Eagles"?
(a) Skip Smitherton.
(b) Skip Skivington.
(c) Skip Skipperton.
(d) Skip Gilligan.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old is the man who speaks second in "Getting Serenity" who states that the city has "destroyed" (23) him?

2. What does Didion say she considered doing after receiving her rejection letter in "On Being Unchosen by the College of One's Choice"?

3. Where did the second speaker in "Getting Serenity" first start gambling?

4. Rather than being adversaries, Didion says that writers for mainstream newspapers are now what?

5. How many people are at the meeting Joan attends in "Getting Serenity?

(see the answer key)

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