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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 does Zinsser think about writing memoirs?
(a) He thinks memoirs are tacky writers.
(b) He is against memoirs and thinks writers should never write about themselves.
(c) He encourages them and wants writers to stop being afraid about writing about themselves.
(d) He likes memoirs and reads them constantly.

2. How is humor used in writing nonfiction?
(a) It is used to practice jokes for stand up comedians.
(b) It is never used. Nonfiction should always be serious.
(c) It is used to bring out points that cannot be made in a straight forward manner.
(d) It is used to make fun of people without them every knowing.

3. What does Zinsser do before submitting a piece of writing?
(a) He edits everything three times.
(b) He has his wife read his work.
(c) He submits his writing to his family.
(d) He reads everything aloud.

4. What is the main thing required to being a good writer?
(a) Hard work.
(b) All answers are correct.
(c) Good editing.
(d) Passion.

5. What happens when a writer writes in unclear ways?
(a) Their writing doesn't make sense.
(b) They don't get published.
(c) They lose the interest of the reader.
(d) Their book gets tagged as abstract literature and nobody ever reads it.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the advantage of a writer writing his or her own memoir?

2. How does Zissner have the ability to choose words for the American Heritage Dictionary?

3. What is an example of a dead language?

4. What does Zissner use to highlight clutter in his students' writing?

5. Why does he recommend starting in the preferred tense?

(see the answer key)

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