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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter 3, Dillard stalks a bird along the iced over creek. What kind of bird was it?
(a) coot
(b) duck
(c) robin
(d) blue jay

2. Why did early Eskimos love winter?
(a) it is a time to use their sleds to visit other Eskimos
(b) they like to celebrate winter soltice
(c) the whales are closer to shore
(d) the seals are easier to kill

3. When Dillard is looking at a stream, where does she look?
(a) in the center of the water
(b) she always looks upstream
(c) at the water going over the rocks
(d) on the north bank

4. According to Dillard, how is the past healed?
(a) by ignoring it
(b) if one stays in the present, the past is healed
(c) by meditating on forgiveness
(d) by focusing on the future

5. Dillard believes that "weather overlaps" which causes what?
(a) there is only a few weeks of any season that is distinguishable from the former or following
(b) snow on Easter
(c) rain in the backyard and sun in the front yard
(d) sun shining when it's raining

Short Answer Questions

1. If you remove the answer in question #86 from chlorophyll, you create a molecule of what?

2. What is one of Dillard's main occupations in the winter?

3. Even though she is no scientist, what did Dillard decide she will do in her valley?

4. What is figurative seeing?

5. Why did Dillard name this chapter "Seeing?"

Short Essay Questions

1. Dillard uses stories from the pre-modern Eskimo culture throughout this book. Why do you think she connects so strongly with this culture?

2. How does Dillard relate the plankton to the Eskimo learning about Christianity and to herself?

3. The Pilgrim at Tinker Creek is, on the surface, a stream of consciousness journey through the natural world around Tinker Creek. What does "stream of consciousness" writing entail? In your answer address plot, characterization and theme.

4. What is kayak sickness?

5. Up to now Dillard has tried to just "notice" creation. In Chapter 8, Section 2, her focus changes. How does her focus change and what might it symbolize?

6. Dillard spends the entire chapter dealing with the passing of a hurricane. How does the theme of "floods" relate to other parts of the book?

7. Dillard recalls what a woman recently told her, "'Seem like we're just set down here...and don't nobody know why."' What do you think this saying means?

8. Dillard is somewhat obsessed with how creation reproduces itself and the excess with which it does so. How might this "obsession" relate to Dillard's own life or self?

9. What is the problem with the starlings in Chapter 3? How does the town of Radford, Virginia deal with the starlings? Were they successful?

10. Chapter 13 continues Dillard's musing on the "dog eat dog" world especially as it relates to parasites. How does Dillard view the parasitic relationship?

(see the answer keys)

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