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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part III: Chapter 18 Writing About the Arts: Critics and Columnists.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Zinsser's preferred method for interviewing?
(a) He likes to use pencils and paper.
(b) He doesn't use anything. He just listens.
(c) He likes audio recorders.
(d) He likes to use pens and markers.

2. What does a Thesaurus help a writer with, besides finding alternate words?
(a) Provides easy word webs.
(b) The book can help a writer become an expert in opposites.
(c) A thesaurus can help when writing in another language.
(d) A thesaurus is a powerful stimulant to a writer's imagination.

3. What trap do journalists and editors fall into often?
(a) Usin too many dashes.
(b) Using cliches and made up words.
(c) Using too many commas.
(d) Not doing grammar checks.

4. What do interviews do for the writer?
(a) Interviews humanize a topic, making a boring topic interesting.
(b) They make the writer an expert in a given subject.
(c) They make a writer feel stupid since he or she does not know that much about a subject.
(d) They make a writer less valid, since he or she needs to interview several people to create one article.

5. What is a major job of a nonfiction writer?
(a) Majoring in the subject they will write about.
(b) Taking on a project with a clean slate. Just like a jury in a legal battle.
(c) Conducting interviews with people who know about the writing project subject.
(d) Learning as much as possible about a subject before taking on a project.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is there an opportunity for great creative writing?

2. What is one task that a good writer constantly does?

3. What was the best advice Zinsser ever received about having opinions in writing?

4. How much information should a writer provide to his or her readers?

5. What does the etymology of words mean?

(see the answer key)

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