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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 letters of condolence does White receive after Katharine's passing?

2. When does White write to President Nixon?

3. Where does White first publish his remembrance of Strunk?

4. In his letter to fifth grade students, how many sheep does White say that he has?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. What ailments does White have in 1963, and how does he write about his recovery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze White's response to a letter by Cathy Durham about why he has not written another children's book. Include why he might have replied that way, the response of Cathy's librarian, and the solution that White's publisher develops for preventing any future issues.

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

"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.

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