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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who first sends White a copy of Strunk's textbook about English usage and style?
(a) The editors of the book.
(b) Strunk.
(c) A friend from Cornell.
(d) A relative.

2. How many copies of "The Elements of Style" have been sold?
(a) Ten million copies.
(b) Eight million copies.
(c) More than ten million copies.
(d) Four million copies.

3. How many years does White do newsbreaks for the New Yorker before retiring?
(a) Twenty six years.
(b) Fifty six years.
(c) Forty six years.
(d) Thirty six years.

4. When does a former secretary of the New Yorker contact White about "The Elements of Style"?
(a) September, 1982.
(b) August, 1982.
(c) April, 1982.
(d) December, 1982.

5. What type of people did Ross hire when starting the New Yorker, according to White?
(a) Talented if inexperienced.
(b) Talented and experienced.
(c) Motivated if inexperienced.
(d) Unmotivated and inexperienced.

6. What is the title of Katharine's posthumous book?
(a) Onward and Upward in the Garden.
(b) Onward in the Garden.
(c) The Garden, Onward and Upward.
(d) Upward in the Garden.

7. How much consideration does the animation studio give to White's suggestions?
(a) None.
(b) A fair amount.
(c) Little.
(d) A lot.

8. After a series of illnesses, how many months of the year does Katharine arrange to work for the New Yorker?
(a) Twelve months.
(b) Three months.
(c) Nine months.
(d) Six months.

9. How does White explain his fascination with spiders in a letter?
(a) He watched one spin a web.
(b) He studied them by reading a book about spiders.
(c) He had a conversation with one.
(d) He saw a unique looking spider on his farm.

10. Which publishing company contacts White about using his text for Strunk's book?
(a) Macmillan Co.
(b) Harper Collins.
(c) Simon & Schuster.
(d) Random House.

11. Which nuclear physicist does White exchange letters with about nuclear disarmament?
(a) William Bradford Shockley.
(b) Donald Arthur Glaser.
(c) Charles Hard Townes.
(d) Edward Teller.

12. Which piece of Charlotte's advice does White give to his publisher regarding the revisions on the illustrations for the book?
(a) Never hurry and never worry.
(b) Humble has two meanings. It means "not proud" and "close to the ground."
(c) Versatile means I can change with ease from one thing to another.
(d) Seven is a lucky number.

13. What does White encourage a college student to get in order to inspire her to write?
(a) A dictionary.
(b) A solid supply of paper.
(c) An electric typewriter.
(d) A wide assortment of pens.

14. What response does White offer to a confused student at Newton High School?
(a) He never set out to achieve an identifiable style in his writing.
(b) A style of writing is like an alter-ego for a writer.
(c) A style of writing is like a coat that a writer puts on.
(d) He set out to deliberately achieve an identifiable style in his writing.

15. In a letter to Stanley, how often does White say he puts his head in traction?
(a) Ten minutes, several times a day.
(b) Five minutes, once a day.
(c) Five minutes, several times a week.
(d) Ten minutes, once a week.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which station does White politely decline an interview with in 1978?

2. What town's fifth grade students receive a letter from White, answering their questions about "Charlotte's Web"?

3. In a letter to Robert Coates, what does White say he used to facilitate his recovery of swollen throat muscles?

4. What book does White negotiate the movie rights for between 1966 and 1970?

5. When does E.B. White pass away?

(see the answer keys)

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