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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 idea does White speak against while in Washington?

2. Where does White travel to after disappearing from the New Yorker?

3. Where has White's brother, Stanley, moved to in order to work as a landscape architect?

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

5. What are the sales of White's book, Stuart Little, in 1946?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does White decline a job offer from the Saturday Review?

4. What happens in 1941 that leads to White's work in Washington?

5. How does White describe kindergarten and high school?

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

7. What happens during White's early New York Times interview?

8. What does White write about his brother, Stanley, and his sister, Lillian?

9. How does White gain confidence as a writer while in college, and what acquaintances does he make there?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

White and Howard Cushman travel across the country in 1922 to learn about writing and life.

1) Describe Howard Cushman, his situation, and why he wants to embark on a cross country trip.

2) Explain White's motivation for the trip and what he hopes to accomplish.

3) Analyze White's job with the Seattle Times and his relationship with Alice Burchfield during the time of his trip.

Essay Topic 3

White's published criticism of Alexander Wollcott is documented by their letters in the New Yorker.

1) Describe who Alexander Wollcott is, the letter that he writes, and why White finds it offensive.

2) Explain White's response to Wollcott's letter and why it is featured in the New Yorker.

3) Analyze why White decides to write a second letter, the point of the letter, and whether or not he is serious in his criticism or using humor to deliver the point.

(see the answer keys)

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