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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 activities is White's son enjoying at Cornell?

2. After marrying a Wall Street broker, what example of alliteration did White's sister's name become?

3. Declining an editor position for The Saturday Review, what does White label himself?

4. According to a 1931 letter to Katharine, how much does White pay for a pair of sandals at Sears Roebuck?

5. According to White's second rebuttal to the New York Herald Tribune, what is the best way to preserve American freedoms?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does White discuss his interest in movies with Stanley in a March, 1937 letter?

2. How do White and Katharine handle their careers when they are first married?

3. What causes White to write a seething letter to the New York Herald Tribune?

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

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

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

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

8. Who is Alice Burchfield?

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

10. What is Katharine Angell's background?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

"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 3

Throughout his career, White has declined various offers for jobs, associations, and interviews. Choose three examples of offers that White declines, and explain the situations for each of them along with the reasons why White might have turned those offers down.

(see the answer keys)

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