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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 book does White negotiate the movie rights for between 1966 and 1970?

2. Which piece of Charlotte's advice does White give to his publisher regarding the revisions on the illustrations for the book?

3. Who is Ursula Nordstrom?

4. Which station does White politely decline an interview with in 1978?

5. When does White inform his publisher that he thinks "Charlotte's Web" appeals more to adults than children?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

In 1925, White takes a big step in his career and begins working for the New Yorker.

1) Describe White's situation after he returns from his road trip and before he discovers the New Yorker magazine.

2) Explain how White first learns about the New Yorker and the way he begins writing for it.

3) Describe how White writes about his initial impression of the New Yorker and the people he meets there.

(see the answer keys)

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