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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What did Dillard do one night in the rare book room of the Virginia library?
(a) Moved a white chess piece.
(b) Knocked over a chess board.
(c) Moved a black chess piece.
(d) Left the lights on all night.

3. What part of the body does the "line of words" in Chapter 1 invade?
(a) The heart.
(b) The brain.
(c) The soul.
(d) The lungs.

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

5. Who once said, "Which is the work in which he hasn't surrendered, under dire difficulty, the best thing he meant to have kept"?
(a) William Faulkner.
(b) William Shakespeare.
(c) Annie Dillard.
(d) Henry James.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. When a writer is stuck while writing a book, what does Dillard think he should do?

4. What does Dillard say that she makes a pen drawing of in Chapter 2?

5. How many hours of sleep would Jack London usually get?

(see the answer key)

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