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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What are two tools every writer should use?
(a) Thesaraus and grammar check.
(b) Spell check and grammar check.
(c) Spell check and dictionary.
(d) Thesaraus and dictionary.

2. What is a common problem writers have?
(a) Starting at the true beginning.
(b) Writing too much at first.
(c) Not writing at the same time every day.
(d) Writing too little.

3. What is a natural inclination for writers when they start a piece?
(a) Writers assume readers know nothing about what they are writing about.
(b) They don't give enough background information.
(c) They ramble through an unnecessary introduction.
(d) They assume the readers know what they are writing about.

4. When should a writer choose the point of view in a piece of writing?
(a) It doesn't matter when the point of view is established.
(b) A writer should determine the point of view before writing a new piece.
(c) THe point of view should be determined once the writing is finished and ready for editing.
(d) The point of view can be determined after the writer figures out who will be the main character.

5. Can a writer's style be affected to the reader?
(a) Yes, so long as the writing is really dense.
(b) No, it has to be genuine.
(c) Yes, so long as the writing is filled with rich prose.
(d) No, it has to be manipulated.

6. Who is the real audience in a piece of writing?
(a) The author.
(b) The reader.
(c) Both the editor and author.
(d) The editor.

7. How many people are in the American Heritage Dictionary Usage Panel?
(a) 10 writers.
(b) 104 writers, poets, editors, and teachers.
(c) 14 writers and poets.
(d) 1000 writers, poets, and editors.

8. How rigid are the lines between proper and improper English usage?
(a) There is a grey area, though the need for proper English is most important.
(b) They are very rigid and one cannot cross the line.
(c) There are no lines at all. Every writer has a poetic license to do with words what he or she pleases.
(d) They are very soft, and not rigid at all.

9. What are the two components of the original Roget's Thesaurus?
(a) Antonyms with very in depth definitions.
(b) A dictionary listing of words, and a numberd section with synonyms arranged in broad concepts.
(c) A list of synonyms and their definitions with pictures on one side.
(d) A dictionary of antonyms, and one of synonyms.

10. Why do journalists need to perfect uncluttered writing?
(a) It make their writing easier to read.
(b) It is easier to sell.
(c) People only pay attention to short articles.
(d) They have a limited number of column inches and word limits.

11. What has literature transformed into?
(a) Literature now includes nonfiction and fiction alike.
(b) Literature now includes poetry.
(c) Literature is still mainly novels,and very rarely includes other writing.
(d) Literature has not transformed at all.

12. What does Zinsser do before submitting a piece of writing?
(a) He edits everything three times.
(b) He reads everything aloud.
(c) He has his wife read his work.
(d) He submits his writing to his family.

13. What method of writing does Zissner use?
(a) Old Journalism.
(b) Bold paragraph approach.
(c) Cluster writing.
(d) New Journalism.

14. What are the best aspects of a good story?
(a) Clarity and writing skill.
(b) Clarity.
(c) Writing skill.
(d) Good research.

15. What is an example of a time when bad writing HAS to be read?
(a) Online writing.
(b) In the newspaper.
(c) Corporate memos or technical writing.
(d) In English class.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is consistency in verb tense so important?

2. Which is the simplest sentence?

3. Should exclamation points be used in serious writing?

4. What should the lead in the first sentence do for a reader?

5. How does Zissner have the ability to choose words for the American Heritage Dictionary?

(see the answer keys)

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