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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which Mozart piece does White recommend for the "Charlotte's Web" movie?
(a) Symphony in B-flat Major.
(b) String Quartet No. 10 in C Major.
(c) Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major.
(d) Quartet in F Major.

2. Which John Steinbeck book was the result of an assignment for Holiday magazine that White could not complete?
(a) "Of Mice and Men".
(b) "Travels with Charley".
(c) "The Grapes of Wrath".
(d) "East of Eden".

3. How long does White carefully study the screenplay for "Charlotte's Web" before returning it to his agent with his annotations?
(a) One month.
(b) One week.
(c) Two weeks.
(d) Two months.

4. When does Katharine pass away?
(a) July, 1977.
(b) November, 1978.
(c) November, 1977.
(d) July, 1978.

5. Where in Florida do the Whites travel to in 1963?
(a) West Palm Beach.
(b) Miami.
(c) Sarasota.
(d) Tampa.

6. What does the Dirksen amendment involve?
(a) A shortened school day for students.
(b) A longer school day for students.
(c) Voluntary prayer in school.
(d) A new grading system for schools.

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

8. Who writes the score for the children's concert of "The Trumpet of the Swan".
(a) Anne Boyd.
(b) Lindley Evans.
(c) Benjamin Lee.
(d) John Antill.

9. In another office memo, for which James Thurber story does White offer his comments?
(a) The Sixteen Doors.
(b) The Thirteen Clocks.
(c) The Sixteen Clocks.
(d) The Thirteen Doors.

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

11. In 1956, why is Katharine still at the New Yorker?
(a) Because of the death of Gus Lobrano.
(b) Because of the income she is generating.
(c) Because White is there.
(d) Because she enjoys the work.

12. In a response to a student's letter, what does White say is the best way to learn about a writer?
(a) To talk to people he knows.
(b) To read his words.
(c) To study his life.
(d) To talk to him.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. When does a former secretary of the New Yorker contact White about "The Elements of Style"?

2. Which nuclear physicist does White exchange letters with about nuclear disarmament?

3. What is the annual limitation income that White agrees to for tax purposes?

4. When is the children's concert of "The Trumpet of the Swan" performed?

5. What version of White's remembrance of Strunk is used in the final copy of "The Elements of Style"?

(see the answer keys)

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