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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What year does White create the cartoon featuring a caption that references the "most beautiful decision" of his life?

2. What does White buy for Katharine with the money from the published story, The Lady is Cold?

3. What reminder does White make about the agreement with communism?

4. In a newsbreak report to Harold Ross, how long does it take White to locate the paste?

5. Where does White first notice the New Yorker magazine?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the purpose of White's trip with Howard Cushman, and where do they go?

2. What is the New York Herald Tribune's response to White's letter, and how does he reply?

3. How does White describe his meeting in Washington in January, 1942?

4. What is the topic of the humorous letter of outrage that White sends to Harold Ross in July, 1945?

5. What suggestions does White have for the New Yorker between 1932 and 1935?

6. What complications does Katharine have while giving birth to their son in 1931?

7. What impulsive decision does White write to Katharine about in May, 1937?

8. What description does White provide of his wedding?

9. What is Katharine Angell's background?

10. As provided in his letters, what are some of White's opinions of the war and drafting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Charlotte's Web" is considered to be White's most popular book and one of the most recognized children's stories for several reasons.

1) Describe White's farm and the inspiration behind the ideas that formed "Charlotte's Web".

2) Explain White's concerns with the illustrations for the book, "Charlotte's Web", and how he resolves them with his publisher.

3) Describe the issues that White has with the cover art for the book, "Charlotte's Web", the suggestions and advice that he gives to his publisher, and why the advice is particularly appropriate.

4) Analyze White's reaction to the success of "Charlotte's Web", and whether or not he is surprised that it connects with children in such a huge way.

Essay Topic 2

In 1937, White displays his whimsical nature in a letter to Katharine.

1) Explain White's motivation for his letter, leaving the New Yorker, and why he thinks it is an ancient privilege to live in a whimsical way rather than a reasonable way.

2) Compare his decision in the letter with other impulsive decisions that he has made, such as unannounced vacations, trips, etc.

3) Analyze White's tone in his letter to Katharine, what he hopes to accomplish, and the aspects of his decision that he has considered as well as the ones that he has not considered.

Essay Topic 3

Katharine passes away and her legacy is secured as White contributes to his own biography towards the end of his life.

1) Describe the change in White's writing after Katharine passes away, how her literary effects help establish her legacy, and the way her book, "Onward and Upward in the Garden" is published.

2) Explain the contributions that White makes to his biography as it is being written and his opinion of the finished book.

3) Analyze the ways that E.B. White will be remembered along with the impact of his work in writing and entertainment.

(see the answer keys)

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