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

Short Answer Questions

1. How did the Romans use the horns of the altar?

2. What does the author think about as she watches the flood waters?

3. What does Dillard say about the muskrat fur?

4. Dillard says if nature is not monstrous, then why does it appear that way to humans?

5. When Dillard comes upon a rooting acorn, she imagines what?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the final chapter of the book, the reader can see that in attempting to understand the natural world, the author is attempting to understand its creator. How does Dillard blend her observations of the natural world with what becomes of her beliefs in a creator? Use some of her writing to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Dillard's story about the tomcat in chapter one. Why did Dillard include this story in the book? What might be the meaning of this story?

Essay Topic 3

In the first part of chapter eight, the author goes into great detail about many phenomena of the natural world. Write about some of the details she has written. How has her writing changed in this chapter to reflect the theme of the intricacy of nature?

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This section contains 331 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample