View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 1.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Dillard believes that some writers weaken their resolve to discard parts of their work. Why?
(a) They believe every word they write is too important to discard.
(b) People have told them it is too good to discard.
(c) The words have come to have a necessary quality.
(d) It is too much work.

2. What do experienced writers urge young men and women to learn, according to Chapter 1?
(a) Shakesperian plays.
(b) A useful trade.
(c) How to spell.
(d) Word definitions.

3. To what does Dillard compare writing a book?
(a) Climbing a long ladder.
(b) A reality television show.
(c) Running a marathon.
(d) Learning to walk via crawling.

4. Dillard refers to writing as changing "..from an expression of your notions to an epistemological tool." What does epistemological mean?
(a) Greek knowledge.
(b) A philosophy concerned with the nature and origin of knowledge.
(c) Surgical incision of the perineum during childbirth.
(d) Bacterial DNA that is extrachromosomal.

5. What does Dillard say many people prefer to the written word?
(a) Recordings.
(b) TV.
(c) Film.
(d) Life.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does the "line of words" go at the end of Chapter 1?

2. What famous author said, "The youth gets together his materials to build a bridge to the moon....and at length the middle-aged man concludes to build a wood-shed with them"?

3. How does Dillard describe the process of writing a book?

4. Who does Dillard say that she believes to be one of the most prolific writers who has ever lived?

5. When Dillard relays a story about a cabdriver singing a boring song, why did the driver sing it twice?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 327 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample