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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 2.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What animal, according to Dillard, is an analogy for characters in a writer's book "taking over"?
(a) A shark.
(b) The sea star.
(c) The caterpillar.
(d) The lion.

2. Saint-Pol-Roux used to hang what sign on his door while he slept?
(a) "Resting is writing."
(b) "Dream in progress."
(c) "Do not disturb."
(d) "The poet is working."

3. Which insect is discussed in the book as part of an entomological experiment?
(a) Phataria.
(b) A worm.
(c) A fly.
(d) A butterfly.

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

5. Whose wife posed for the Liberty dime?
(a) Wallace Stevens.
(b) Wilhelm Dinesen.
(c) Osip Mandelstam.
(d) Thomas Mann.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Dillard is watching symbols move on her monitor, which sends back numbers to her, what is it her job to do?

2. Under what circumstances did Rabbi Uri of Strelisk tell his family to dispose of his manuscripts?

3. Who did Dillard see standing at the chess table in the Roanoke library one night?

4. What does Dillard describe as 'a net for catching days' in Chapter 2?

5. What does Dillard say that she feels a writer must do about feeling one's work in progress is either magnificent or abominable?

(see the answer key)

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