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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How were Starlings are introduced to America from Europe?

2. Why did early Eskimos love winter?

3. How do honey bees survive the cold of winter?

4. What does the author say the future is?

5. How long does it take a tree to recreate ninety-nine percent of its living parts?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Dillard tie in Moses with her observations at Tinker Creek?

2. What is the correlation Dillard sees between time and the search for God?

3. Dillard uses stories from the pre-modern Eskimo culture throughout this book. Why do you think she connects so strongly with this culture?

4. Describe Dillard's thoughts as she looks over the creek from the bridge when it was flooded.

5. Dillard watches a mosquito feed on a copperhead snake. What does she think of the act?

6. Chapter One is titled, "Heaven and Earth in Jest." Why do you think this was the title chosen for this first chapter?

7. How does Dillard see as the difference between plant and animal fecundity?

8. Describe Dillard's visit to a horse ranch and what happened.

9. Dillard discusses the concept of the world as being "old and ragged." How does she relate that to the natural world and her own life?

10. What might Dillard's fascination and stories about the praying mantis demonstrate?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapter One is title, "Heaven and Earth in Jest." What do you think Dillard meant by this title? What might be the jest? Does it seem true to you?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Dillard's encounter with the circular snake skin. How did she use it in thinking about time? Do you agree with her beliefs about time? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

In this first section of chapter ten, which is titled "Fecundity," Dillard ponders the difference between the excess of plants versus that of animals. Throughout the book she has discussed various ways in which some creatures procreate. She also writes about human reaction to the proliferation of plants versus animals, especially insects. Discuss at least three of the animals Dillard has mentioned and their reproductive methods. Why do you think humans would find overwhelming plant reproduction less repugnant than animal reproduction?

(see the answer keys)

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