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

2. What does the etymology of words mean?
(a) The history of words.
(b) The written scripts.
(c) The biology of words.
(d) The sound of words.

3. 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) Learning as much as possible about a subject before taking on a project.
(d) Conducting interviews with people who know about the writing project subject.

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

5. Where is there an opportunity for great creative writing?
(a) At the local library.
(b) Online at freelance job web sites.
(c) LIterary journals.
(d) Writing for the arts is the best opportunity to write creatively.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does a thesaurus help with brainstorming?

2. What does Zinsser do before submitting a piece of writing?

3. What does reading aloud do for the writer?

4. What is a strange but effective way of proofreading to check for errors?

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

(see the answer key)

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