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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) Usin too many dashes.
(c) Using too many commas.
(d) Using cliches and made up words.

2. What was the best advice Zinsser ever received about having opinions in writing?
(a) It was to argue both sides of a story.
(b) To always second guess an argument and make a pro and con list.
(c) To never second guess a story.
(d) Take a stand and stick to it. One should never "go peeing down both legs."

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

4. What is another important characteristic of a writer?
(a) To be aware of the way words are spelled.
(b) To sound out simple syllables.
(c) To sound out simple sentences.
(d) To be aware of the rhythm and sound of words together.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Why do criticism writers have to be at a higher level than other writers?

3. Why is it important for writers to read constantly?

4. What are the two components of the original Roget's Thesaurus?

5. What do interviews do for the writer?

(see the answer key)

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