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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part IV: Chapter 20 The Sound of Your Voice.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What other group of people uses euphemisms or fad terms?
(a) Doctors.
(b) State employees.
(c) Business writers.
(d) Musicians.

2. What is an example of a time when bad writing HAS to be read?
(a) Online writing.
(b) Corporate memos or technical writing.
(c) In the newspaper.
(d) In English class.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What stops Americans from writing memoirs?

2. What happens when writers do not stick to proper grammar rules?

3. What happens when the reader loses interest in the writing?

4. What does Zissner believe authors are fearful of in their writing?

5. What is the purpose of colons?

(see the answer key)

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