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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does White write to his granddaughter about journalism?
(a) It is the basis for all of his books.
(b) It is where he feels the most comfortable.
(c) It is the foundation for most of his books.
(d) It is where he feels the least comfortable.

2. Which station does White politely decline an interview with in 1978?
(a) CBS.
(b) PBS.
(c) ABC.
(d) NBC.

3. When does White inform his publisher that he thinks "Charlotte's Web" appeals more to adults than children?
(a) In June, 1952.
(b) In October, 1953.
(c) In June, 1953.
(d) In October, 1952.

4. How many letters of condolence does White receive after Katharine's passing?
(a) Three hundred.
(b) Over five hundred.
(c) Four hundred.
(d) Two hundred.

5. 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) Versatile means I can change with ease from one thing to another.
(c) Seven is a lucky number.
(d) Humble has two meanings. It means "not proud" and "close to the ground."

6. When does White learn about the death of James Thurber?
(a) November, 1961.
(b) April, 1962.
(c) June, 1962.
(d) March, 1961.

7. In a letter to his brother, Stanley, what does White fear the surgeons will find in his abdomen during an operation?
(a) Shrimp newburg.
(b) Ahi Carpaccio.
(c) Fiddlehead ferns.
(d) Shad roe.

8. Why is Katharine hospitalized in 1952?
(a) An appendix infection.
(b) Pneumonia.
(c) A liver infection.
(d) A fever.

9. Of which upcoming fiction writer are the Whites fans?
(a) Ian Fleming.
(b) William Faulkner.
(c) Harper Lee.
(d) John Updike.

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

11. What type of sound do the suggested songs for "Charlotte's Web" have in White's opinion?
(a) English.
(b) Russian.
(c) Scottish.
(d) Irish.

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

13. How many proposals does White have to make a movie of "Charlotte's Web"?
(a) Hundreds.
(b) Several.
(c) A few.
(d) None.

14. When is the children's concert of "The Trumpet of the Swan" performed?
(a) April 15, 1971.
(b) April 15, 1972.
(c) May 13, 1972.
(d) May 13, 1971.

15. When does White write to his agent about his reservations of a Czech producer's plans for a movie about "Charlotte's Web"?
(a) 1973.
(b) 1971.
(c) 1972.
(d) 1974.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which colleges are included in the list that White mentions as receiving portions of Katharine's books?

2. What does White encourage a college student to get in order to inspire her to write?

3. Why does White initially think his biography should be shorter?

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

5. How does Cathy Durham's librarian respond to White's letter to Cathy?

(see the answer keys)

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