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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. How many minor surgeries does Katharine undergo between 1966 and 1970?

2. When does White write a letter to his stepson, Roger, and his wife, Carol?

3. What reason does White give his agent for putting the book, Charlotte's Web, aside for a while?

4. When does a former secretary of the New Yorker contact White about "The Elements of Style"?

5. What type of people did Ross hire when starting the New Yorker, according to White?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is White's concern with the cover art for "Charlotte's Web" and what appropriate advice does he share?

2. How is Katharine's legacy preserved?

3. How does White describe the beginning days of the New Yorker to an author that is researching a book?

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

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

6. Which ailment and animal's escapades does White write to his stepson and his wife about in 1968?

7. How does White's response to Cathy Durham generate controversy, and what solution does his publisher implement?

8. What complications does White have with his vision in 1982, and how many years does he provide newsbreaks for the New Yorker before retiring?

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

10. In a December, 1951 letter, how does White respond to a depressed undergraduate student about her plans to become a writer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

E.B. White provides an autobiography about his family background as the preface for the "Letters of E.B. White".

1) Describe the background of White's parents and what led them to make their home in Mt. Vernon.

2) Explain which siblings White is closest to and why.

3) Describe the help and encouragement that White receives while growing up.

(see the answer keys)

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