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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. Literature was once considered solely as what?
(a) Great novels.
(b) Writing by only certain authors.
(c) Fiction only.
(d) Historical pieces.

2. Why doesn't he simply cross out clutter?
(a) Because it uses too much ink to cross out than to bracket.
(b) Because highlighting is easier to see.
(c) So that his students will learn to recognize clutter.
(d) Because underlining is easier on the eyes.

3. What type of memoirs does Zinsser like reading?
(a) He does not read memoirs.
(b) He likes reading immigrant memoirs.
(c) He likes reading memoirs about other writers and their experiences.
(d) He only reads novels.

4. What is the old view of nonfiction?
(a) That it is the only respectable form of writing.
(b) That it is only journalism which isn't a respectable form of writing.
(c) That it is all commentary that means nothing to anyone but the writer.
(d) That it is the best form of writing because it is factual and real.

5. What does Zissner use to highlight clutter in his students' writing?
(a) Highlighter.
(b) Brackets
(c) Stars.
(d) Underlines.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Zinsser think about writing memoirs?

2. What does a Thesaurus help a writer with, besides finding alternate words?

3. What period in U.S. history does Zissner point out as a time filled with euphemisms?

4. Which is the simplest sentence?

5. What group of people does the author think has the worst type of writing?

(see the answer key)

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