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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Dillard believe the flood shows about nature?

2. How much impact on any of the creatures, mountains, or creek around her does the author think she has?

3. Who does Dillard says stalk caribou herds for days?

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

5. What does the author think the existence of parasites makes the world?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe some of the scenes Dillard writes of from winters in her past. What had she observed that was cruel? What that was compassionate? Do you think winter lends itself more to cruel behavior than kindness? Why?

Essay Topic 2

The present is fleet. One barely glimpses it, and it is gone, Dillard writes. What is the present, according to the author? Why try to stay in it? How does the present compare to the past or the future? Have you ever tried to stay in the moment? Describe one situation when the author tried to stay in the now. Do you think it's possible to stay just in the now? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

How does Dillard feel about harming creatures? What are some of the incidents from her childhood that helped formed these ideas? Do you agree with her? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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