"From An American Childhood" By Annie Dillard

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  • 1/15 Questions

    Use context clues in the following passage coose the correct meaning of the underlined word. He chased us silently over picket fences, through thorny hedges, between houses, around garbage cans, and across streets.  Every time I glanced back, choking for breath, I expected he would have quit.

    • Fell
    • Looked quickly
    • Gasped loudly
    • Shoved
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About This Quiz

This quiz assesses comprehension of 'An American Childhood' by Annie Dillard, focusing on key themes such as courage, consequences, and the interpretation of actions within narrative context. It evaluates critical reading and understanding of literary texts.

American Literature Quizzes & Trivia

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  • 2. 

    Why does the man chase the children?

    • To have some fun.

    • To get some exercise

    • To get their names and call the police

    • To teach them a lesson

    Correct Answer
    A. To teach them a lesson
    Explanation
    The man chases the children to teach them a lesson. This implies that the man is pursuing the children in order to impart a disciplinary action or consequence for their behavior.

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  • 3. 

    Use context clues to choose the correct meaning of the underlined word. Mikey and I had nowhere to go, in our own neighborhood or out of it, but away from this man who was chasing us.  He impelled us forward.

    • Caught

    • Pushed

    • Helped

    • Called

    Correct Answer
    A. Pushed
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "pushed" because the word "impelled" suggests that the man was forcefully moving Mikey and the speaker forward, indicating that he was pushing them.

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  • 4. 

    At the beginning of teh excerpt from An American Childhood, what important thing do you learn about Annie Dillard when she talks about playing football?

    • She thinks football is a difficult game.

    • She has never fooled the other team.

    • She values concentration and courage.

    • She realizes how hard it is to get hurt.

    Correct Answer
    A. She values concentration and courage.
    Explanation
    In the excerpt from An American Childhood, when Annie Dillard talks about playing football, she mentions that the game requires concentration and courage. This suggests that she values these qualities and recognizes their importance in the context of playing football. The fact that she specifically highlights these attributes indicates that she appreciates the mental and emotional aspects of the game, rather than solely focusing on physical prowess or winning.

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  • 5. 

    After the man catches Dillard and Mikey, Dillard says: He had released our jackets;...he knew we weren't going anywhere.  We all played by the rules. What does she mean?

    • The children will have to unzip thier jackets so they do not catch cold.

    • The children will have to help the man find his way back to his car.

    • The children will not try to run away once they have been fairly caught.

    • The children will wait for the man to catch his breath so he can scold them.

    Correct Answer
    A. The children will not try to run away once they have been fairly caught.
    Explanation
    Dillard means that since the man released their jackets, he is confident that they will not attempt to escape. By saying they all played by the rules, she implies that they understand the game they were playing and will not break the agreed-upon rules by trying to run away.

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  • 6. 

    Which word best describes the young Annie Dillard?

    • Troublesome

    • Funny

    • Adventurous

    • Lonely

    Correct Answer
    A. Adventurous
    Explanation
    Annie Dillard is described as adventurous because the word "adventurous" suggests that she is daring, willing to take risks, and eager to explore new experiences. This word implies that she is not afraid to step out of her comfort zone and seek out excitement and challenges. It also suggests that she has a curious and enthusiastic nature, always seeking new adventures and opportunities for growth.

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  • 7. 

    Since this excerpt is told in first person point-of-view, what information must be left out of the story?

    • How the man feels as he chases the two children.

    • How Dillard feels when she plays football.

    • How Dillard feels when she is chased by the man.

    • How the neighborhood looks as Dillard runs through it.

    Correct Answer
    A. How the man feels as he chases the two children.
    Explanation
    In a first-person point-of-view narrative, the story is told from the perspective of one character, and the reader only has access to that character's thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Therefore, information about how the man feels as he chases the two children would be left out of the story. The focus is on the narrator's own feelings and experiences, not those of other characters.

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  • 8. 

    In which sentence is the word strategy used correctly?

    • When children throw snowballs at cars, they are wise to plan a strategy for escape.

    • When traffic slows to a strategy, it is good time for children to aim thier snowballs.

    • When the man catches the two children, he scolds them with his strategy.

    • When Dillard looks back on her childhood, she remembers the strategy of winter.

    Correct Answer
    A. When children throw snowballs at cars, they are wise to plan a strategy for escape.
    Explanation
    In this sentence, the word "strategy" is used correctly because it refers to a plan or approach that the children should have in order to escape when they throw snowballs at cars. It implies that they need to think ahead and come up with a plan to avoid getting caught or getting into trouble.

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  • 9. 

    Why does the author describe the path of teh chase in such detail?

    • To show what a good memory she has.

    • To show the adults can run as fast as children

    • To show that the man does not know the neighborhood well.

    • To show how determined the man is to catch the children.

    Correct Answer
    A. To show how determined the man is to catch the children.
    Explanation
    The author describes the path of the chase in such detail to show how determined the man is to catch the children. By providing specific details about the route the man takes, the author emphasizes the man's relentless pursuit and his unwillingness to give up. This level of detail highlights the man's determination and adds to the tension and suspense of the chase.

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  • 10. 

    Why are the children throwing snowballs at cars?

    • They are already boared with winter.

    • They want the drivers to chase them.

    • The cars are getting in the way of their street game.

    • The cars are moving slowly and make good targets.

    Correct Answer
    A. The cars are moving slowly and make good targets.
    Explanation
    The children are throwing snowballs at cars because the cars are moving slowly and make good targets.

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  • 11. 

    What lesson does Annie Dillard share in this excerpt?

    • The importance of telling the truth

    • The joy of flinging oneself into life's events.

    • The danger of throwing snowballs at cars.

    • The importance of not talking to strangers.

    Correct Answer
    A. The joy of flinging oneself into life's events.
    Explanation
    Annie Dillard shares the lesson of the joy of flinging oneself into life's events in this excerpt. This suggests that she believes in fully immersing oneself in experiences and embracing the excitement and unpredictability that life has to offer.

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  • 12. 

    Dillard writes from the first-person point of view.  Which of the following statements is always true of a first person narrative?

    • It is about a childhood memory.

    • It is told by one of the characters.

    • It describes characters' thoughts and actions.

    • It includes conversations among characters.

    Correct Answer
    A. It is told by one of the characters.
    Explanation
    A first-person narrative is always told by one of the characters in the story. This means that the narrator is a participant in the events and is sharing their own perspective and experiences. This point of view allows the reader to have direct insight into the thoughts, feelings, and actions of the character who is telling the story. Therefore, the statement "It is told by one of the characters" is always true of a first-person narrative.

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  • 13. 

    Which statement from the except explains what Dillard finds disappointing about being captured by the man?

    • "The point was that he chase us passionately without giving up."

    • "Now he came down to earth. I wanted the glory to last forever."

    • "He could only have fried Mikey Fahey and me in boiling oil, say."

    • "We could have run through every backyard...until we got to Panama."

    Correct Answer
    A. "Now he came down to earth. I wanted the glory to last forever."
    Explanation
    Dillard finds being captured by the man disappointing because she wanted the excitement and thrill of being chased to continue indefinitely. The statement "Now he came down to earth. I wanted the glory to last forever." suggests that Dillard had hoped for the chase to be more intense and for the feeling of being pursued to continue, but the man's capture brought an end to that excitement.

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  • 14. 

    Which sentence uses the word compelled correctly?

    • After much practice, Dillard compelled "a boy's arm."

    • The children compelled to throw snowballs at the cars.

    • The snowball compelled against the Buick's windshield.

    • The cold compelled the children to wear mittens and jackets.

    Correct Answer
    A. The cold compelled the children to wear mittens and jackets.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "The cold compelled the children to wear mittens and jackets." This sentence uses the word "compelled" correctly because it means that the cold forced or strongly influenced the children to wear mittens and jackets.

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  • 15. 

    Why does Dillard admire the driver of the Buick?

    • He eventually outruns her and Mikey

    • He throws himself into the chase

    • He is braver than other drivers

    • He scolds them after he has caught them.

    Correct Answer
    A. He is braver than other drivers
    Explanation
    Dillard admires the driver of the Buick because he is braver than other drivers. This suggests that the driver displays courage and fearlessness in his actions, possibly during a chase or pursuit. Dillard appreciates this bravery and admires the driver for his ability to stand out from other drivers in terms of bravery and determination.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Mar 19, 2023 +

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 19, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Oct 11, 2011
    Quiz Created by
    Freemanj
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