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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Under what circumstances did Rabbi Uri of Strelisk tell his family to dispose of his manuscripts?
(a) If writing became the death of him.
(b) If he should die on his way to prayers.
(c) If praying should kill him.
(d) If there was a risk of fire.

2. What does Dillard say that she feels a writer must do about feeling one's work in progress is either magnificent or abominable?
(a) Ignore it and not indulge in the feeling.
(b) Celebrate or cry.
(c) Get the work critiqued.
(d) Ask for help from readers.

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

4. Who does Dillard say that she believes to be one of the most prolific writers who has ever lived?
(a) William Shakespeare.
(b) James Patterson.
(c) Edgar Allen Poe.
(d) Thomas Mann.

5. 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"?
(a) Thomas Mann.
(b) Henry James.
(c) Henry Thoreau.
(d) Walt Whitman.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Dillard compare writing to in the first paragraph of the book?

2. What did an inchworm search for in a panic in Chapter 1?

3. How long does it generally take to write a book?

4. Saint-Pol-Roux used to hang what sign on his door while he slept?

5. What does Dillard say that the printed word cannot compete with?

(see the answer key)

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