Understanding Parental Anxieties and Writing Influences

The speaker reflects on becoming a father at a young age and how having children has influenced his writing, particularly in novels where childhood and adolescence are central themes. He discusses his parental anxieties, which extend to his grandchildren and wife, and how his imagination as a writer often leads him to worry about his loved ones. Despite these personal concerns, he also acknowledges broader worries about the state of the world.

At what age did the speaker become a father for the first time?

• 18

• 22

• 25

• 30

What age is the speaker currently?

• 57

• 72

• 62

• 67

What is the speaker's youngest child preparing for?

• High school

• A gap year

• University

• A new job

How has having children influenced the speaker's writing?

• It led him to focus on childhood and adolescence.

• It made him write more about adventure.

• It inspired him to write about historical events.

• It encouraged him to write science fiction.

What is the primary source of the speaker's anxieties?

• His health

• His financial status

• His career

• His children and grandchildren

What does the speaker do for a living?

• He is a writer.

• He is an engineer.

• He is a doctor.

• He is a teacher.

How does the speaker describe his imagination in relation to his work?

• It is easily controlled.

• It stays in the office.

• It follows him everywhere.

• It is only active during writing.

How many children does the speaker have?

• Two

• Three

• Four

• Five

How many grandchildren does the speaker have?

• Four

• Three

• Five

• Two

What is the speaker's concern beyond his family?

• His financial investments

• His health

• His career progression

• The state of the world