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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. 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) They believe every word they write is too important to discard.
(d) People have told them it is too good to discard.

3. Oftentimes, what part of Dillard's work must be edited out?
(a) The best-written part.
(b) The opening paragraph.
(c) The typos and misspellings.
(d) The dialogue.

4. According to Dillard, how do painters work as opposed to writers?
(a) Painters work on a blank canvas, writers on a computer.
(b) Painters work with color, writers with black and white.
(c) Painters work with their hands, writers with their heads.
(d) Painters work from the ground up, writers from left to right.

5. When Dillard relays a story about a cabdriver singing a boring song, why did the driver sing it twice?
(a) It had taken him a long time to get it right.
(b) He wanted to bore the author.
(c) It was a throw-away song.
(d) He was stalling for time.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is needed in the world more than another excellent manuscript, as far as Dillard is concerned?

3. How did Washington writer, Charlie Butts, write fiction in order to gain momentum?

4. What question does Dillard say a writer must ask when considering random scenes that come to mind?

5. Dillard refers to writing as changing "..from an expression of your notions to an epistemological tool." What does epistemological mean?

(see the answer key)

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