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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 is the subject of the article that White's granddaughter, Martha, writes?

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

3. When does White write to his agent about his reservations of a Czech producer's plans for a movie about "Charlotte's Web"?

4. How many letters of condolence does White receive after Katharine's passing?

5. What trouble does White mention he has when writing, due to his impaired vision?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is Katharine's legacy preserved?

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

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

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

6. How does White contribute to his biography, and when and where does he pass away?

7. What is White's problem with taxi cab doors in his 1950 memo to Harold Ross?

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

10. What journalistic advice does White give to his granddaughter in 1975?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the key points about White's experiences at Cornell University. Provide examples of his knowledge and practice of journalism, the associations he had while at college, and what those connections led to later in his life.

Essay Topic 2

White answers a number of letters and questions from students about writing and education in general.

1) Describe White's explanation of the process for writing a book to a fourth-grade class in Columbus, Ohio.

2) Explain White's advice to a depressed college student as well as his advice to a confused senior, and his comments about his own writing identity.

3) Compare and contrast the advice that he gives to his granddaughter, Martha, with the responses that he sends to other college students.

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.

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