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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 examples does White include in a memo as entrances that would infuriate people if they were the same height as a taxi cab door?

2. In another office memo, for which James Thurber story does White offer his comments?

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

4. What response does White offer to a confused student at Newton High School?

5. How long does White carefully study the screenplay for "Charlotte's Web" before returning it to his agent with his annotations?

Short Essay Questions

1. What changes does White experience after Katharine passes away?

2. What feedback and advice does White offer to James Thurber for the story,"The Thirteen Clocks"?

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

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

5. What question does Cathy Durham ask White, and how does he respond?

6. What is the subject of the exchanged letters between White and President Richard Nixon in July, 1969?

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

8. Who does the illustrations for "Charlotte's Web", and what does White send to his publisher to help with the drawing of Charlotte?

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

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

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

Describe White's trip to Washington, including the events that lead up to it, the reasons he is hired by the Department of Facts and Figures, the difference between his original responsibility with his eventual role in the pamphlet, and his opinions of the meetings and process there. Also, provide an analysis of White's views on the war and the draft that he discusses in the letters he writes when he returns from Washington.

Essay Topic 3

Describe in detail three examples of how White uses his creativity and writing skills to communicate with Katharine and show her how important she is to his life. Include an analysis of what techniques White uses and why they are effective.

(see the answer keys)

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