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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part III: Chapter 14 Writing About Yourself: The Memoir.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is a strange but effective way of proofreading to check for errors?
(a) Reading a story upside down.
(b) Reading a piece backwards.
(c) Reading under a blacklight.
(d) Reading through a window.

2. Has the period of political euphemisms improved since the Vietnam War?
(a) No, it has gotten worse.
(b) Yes, politicians hire better speech writers.
(c) Yes, politicians know how to unclutter their writing now.
(d) No, it is the same.

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

4. Does Zissner believe in the journalism model for good writing?
(a) Yes, it is efficient and catchy.
(b) Yes, it saves space and uses modern words.
(c) No, journalism is dead and the writing is poor.
(d) No because journalists use cheap words and buzz words.

5. Why is consistency in verb tense so important?
(a) Very tense consistency is important so that the reader does not become lost in the timing of events.
(b) It is important for the development of characters, and to set up a plot.
(c) It is important so that verbs don't get confused with nouns.
(d) It is important for slower readers to follow along.

Short Answer Questions

1. What has literature transformed into?

2. Why doesn't he simply cross out clutter?

3. What is it that the bad writers mentioned above do that makes their writing terrible?

4. What type of memoirs does Zinsser like reading?

5. Why is nonfiction more popular than fiction?

(see the answer key)

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