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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where is the cloth mentioned in King's image located within the image?
(a) Draped over a chair.
(b) Under the cage.
(c) Lying on the floor.
(d) Beside the first object.

2. What type of job does King believe writing to be?
(a) One of drudgery.
(b) One requiring hard work.
(c) A joyous one.
(d) A serious one.

3. What does King remember about his childhood with his brother Dave?
(a) Always being in trouble.
(b) How his brother hit him.
(c) Many adventures.
(d) Their pets.

4. King states that writing is a job that includes aspects that are ____.
(a) Ponderous.
(b) Void of meaning.
(c) Drudgery.
(d) Unexplainable.

5. What happens to Carrie several months later after its initial sale?
(a) The book is published in Spanish.
(b) The book is made into a movie.
(c) The publisher sells the paperback rights.
(d) The book sells its paperback rights to TNT for a television series.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is King's overall opinion on details in writing?

2. If a reader does not see an image the same way as the writer, how has the image changed?

3. What is the first thing King requests in the second chapter that his readers accept about writing?

4. When a writer sees an image in his/her head and writes it down, what is he accomplishing in regards to the reader?

5. Whom does King meet while in college?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way is the chapter, What Writing Is, different from the usual book on writing?

2. What conclusions can you draw from King's comparison of writing as a career versus writing as a passion? Explain in your own words.

3. King opens the chapter, What Writing Is, with an image. What is the image and how is it described? In what ways is this image different from other images presented in books? What is King's motive in doing this? Do you think this is an effective way to allow the reader to see the scene? Why or why not?

4. King was a heavy drinker and addicted to cocaine. He believed that these two elements contributed to his creativity. In terms of the chapter, C.V., do you think his belief was justified? Why or why not?

5. How did King begin his career as a writer?

6. How did King learn to edit his work? Why was this important to the young writer?

7. When King asks the writer to accept 'the magic of writing, but to take it seriously', what is he saying?

8. As a child, King had many chronic ear and throat infections. How might these illnesses lead King to writing?

9. In a short paper, summarize the main points of King's life as an author.

10. In what way is the book, On Writing, to be different from King's usual work?

(see the answer keys)

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