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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 intrigued White about the girls in high school?

2. Which one of the following is not a writer that White works with at the New Yorker?

3. How does the New York Herald Tribune refer to White in their response to his criticism?

4. How many children did White's parents have?

5. Which of the following is not included in the list of purchases White reports to his parents in a letter?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is Katharine Angell's background?

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

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

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

7. Why did White first begin writing during his childhood?

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

9. How does White begin writing for the New Yorker, and what does he do once his position becomes permanent?

10. How does White discover the New Yorker?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Compare and contrast the New Yorker magazine in the 1950s with the way it was in the 1920s. Use White's letter to his brother, Stanley, as a reference for his concern about the changes taking place at the magazine. Also, include White's description of the original goal of the New Yorker and his experiences while working there as he writes to an author that is researching a book.

Essay Topic 3

White marries Katharine Angell after her careful consideration.

1) Describe Katharine's background and how she came to work at the New Yorker.

2) Explain the concerns she has about pursuing a relationship with White, and how she eventually agrees to marry him.

3) Analyze how White writes about the wedding and the way both he and Katharine return to work.

(see the answer keys)

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