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

Short Answer Questions

1. In this book the author is not only striving to understand the natural world, but to understand this acceptance:

2. What does Dillard mean when she says she's willing to sacrifice a little blood in order to be "in the thick of things?"

3. The previous year, what did Hurricane Agnes do in the area?

4. What does Dillard believe is destroyed in the flood?

5. How does a young muskrat get fed?

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

Write an essay about praying mantis. Include Dillard's observations, her knowledge from other sources, her reactions and feeling towards praying mantis and any beliefs she may have formed because of her thoughts on this insect.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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This section contains 319 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample