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

Short Answer Questions

1. When ancient Hebrews sacrificed an animal to their god, how did they use the horns?

2. In Chapter 13, the author is beginning to find a balance in her thinking about nature. What is that balance?

3. What did a Russian botanist discover about locusts?

4. The balance enables her to think about the beauty without doing what?

5. What are the "horns of the altar?"

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 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.

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This section contains 320 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample