View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How many major surgeries does Katharine have between 1966 and 1970?

2. According to his letter, what stays in White's pond for several days?

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

4. What does the Dirksen amendment involve?

5. When does a new printing for "Charlotte's Web" begin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What illnesses does Katharine battle between 1960 and 1965, and how does she adjust her work schedule?

2. In another letter to Stanley, what does White say about his use of traction?

3. How does White explain the process of writing a book to fourth-graders of Columbus, Ohio?

4. How does Hanna-Barbera acquire the rights to produce the animated motion picture version of "Charlotte's Web"?

5. What are the elements included in the Philadelphia Orchestra's children's concert of "The Trumpet of the Swan" in 1972?

6. How long does White study the screenplay for "Charlotte's Web" and what suggestions does he make?

7. How does White respond to a confused senior at Newton High School?

8. How does White revise his work to be included in the new edition of "The Elements of Style"?

9. Why does White write to Maine Sen. Margaret Chase Smith?

10. What does White reveal about his farm in his answer to the questions of Mrs. Bard's fifth-grade class in Larchmont, New York?

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

"Charlotte's Web" reaches even more audiences with a successful animated film adaption of the story in 1973.

1) Explain White's concerns about the direction of a producer's idea for "Charlotte's Web", and how Hanna-Barbera is eventually given the rights to produce the film.

2) Describe the way White studies the screenplay for "Charlotte's Web", his notations that he includes when returning it, and how they are received by the animation studio.

3) Explain White's suggestions for the music of the movie and how they compare with the finalized movie.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,042 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample