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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 1: Chapter 1, "The Structure of Nonaction Information" through Chapter 4, "The Parts You Don't Read".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," Foster calls a certain kind of reader the "cognoscenti." What kind of a reader is her referring to?
(a) Skeptical readers.
(b) Young readers.
(c) Well-informed readers.
(d) Snobbish readers.

2. In Chapter 4, "The Parts You Don't Read," what advice does Foster give about the copyright page?
(a) This page contains important information about where the author got pieces of information used in the text.
(b) This information is just a legal notice and most readers should just ignore it.
(c) When reading as a part of research, never leave this page without recording the information it contains.
(d) This page is optional and readers should not expect to find it in every book.

3. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what does Foster say is true of the sports section?
(a) It contains primarily editorial columns.
(b) It excludes features.
(c) It contains every type of writing found in a newspaper.
(d) Its box scores are an example of soft news.

4. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what does Foster say is the difference between "hard news" and "soft news"?
(a) Hard news is fact-focused, basic news gathering; soft news is generally lengthier and less objective.
(b) Hard news is truth-focused; soft news permits some inaccuracy.
(c) Hard news is focused on difficult truths; soft news is about making the reader feel good.
(d) Hard news is focused on statistics and data; soft news is focused on investigations and exposés.

5. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what problem does Foster say can arise if readers do not understand the forms of writing?
(a) Readers may expect the wrong things from the form they are reading.
(b) Readers may be disappointed by the content of their reading.
(c) Readers may have unreasonably high standards.
(d) Readers may misunderstand the purpose of the form they are reading.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to "The Building Blocks of Arguments," what is the only form of nonfiction that is not argumentative?

2. The section of this book called "What's Going on Around Here?" is what part of the book?

3. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," Foster mentions a "squib." What is a squib, in this context?

4. The section of this book called "The Books in the Book" is what part of the book?

5. In Chapter 1, "The Structure of Nonfiction Information," what does Foster mean when he uses the word "dichotomy"?

(see the answer key)

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