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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is one task that a good writer constantly does?
(a) Reads contemporary and classic works of other writers.
(b) Takes writing classes often.
(c) Sends manuscripts out like crazy.
(d) Participates in writing workshops.

2. What period in U.S. history does Zissner point out as a time filled with euphemisms?
(a) World War II.
(b) The Vietnam War.
(c) The Korean War.
(d) Spanish Civil War.

3. What are some limitations of perfect grammar?
(a) Hindering points, establishing author moods, and painting word pictures.
(b) Good grammer makes for boring writing.
(c) Some writers don't have perfect grammar and therefore cannot get published.
(d) Lack of expressionism when grammar is perfect.

4. When should a writer choose the point of view in a piece of writing?
(a) The point of view can be determined after the writer figures out who will be the main character.
(b) THe point of view should be determined once the writing is finished and ready for editing.
(c) It doesn't matter when the point of view is established.
(d) A writer should determine the point of view before writing a new piece.

5. What gives nonfiction books life?
(a) The cover of the book.
(b) Humanity and warmth.
(c) White lies that sell certain facts.
(d) Pure hard facts.

6. When can ornamental writing be used as an exception?
(a) When writing evaluations and resumes.
(b) To follow solid writing.
(c) When the wrting needs extra fluff.
(d) When the author needs to abide by editors remarks.

7. Can good writing be taught?
(a) It cannot, but it can be learned.
(b) Only good teachers can teach good writing.
(c) Of course it can.
(d) Only good students can learn good writing.

8. Why does he recommend starting in the preferred tense?
(a) It brings out the natural voice.
(b) It causes writer's to think about the reader.
(c) It creates a teacher student relationship.
(d) It makes it easier for people to relate to.

9. What does Zissner think of gimmicky writing?
(a) It is worth a try to sell a book or article.
(b) It is what gets writers through the door.
(c) It is the secret to selling a book.
(d) It never works.

10. What is an example of a hit book that was rejected several times?
(a) Harry Potter.
(b) Pride and Prejudice.
(c) Jurassic Park.
(d) Eleven on Top.

11. What are the two components of the original Roget's Thesaurus?
(a) A dictionary listing of words, and a numberd section with synonyms arranged in broad concepts.
(b) A list of synonyms and their definitions with pictures on one side.
(c) A dictionary of antonyms, and one of synonyms.
(d) Antonyms with very in depth definitions.

12. What do interviews do for the writer?
(a) Interviews humanize a topic, making a boring topic interesting.
(b) They make a writer feel stupid since he or she does not know that much about a subject.
(c) They make the writer an expert in a given subject.
(d) They make a writer less valid, since he or she needs to interview several people to create one article.

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

14. What is another example of when a person HAS to read bad writing?
(a) Literature anthologies.
(b) Television captions.
(c) Political Journals.
(d) Instruction manuals.

15. What does it convey when anyone says he can write a book if he wanted to?
(a) It shows that there are many talented people in the world.
(b) It reveals how easy it is to write a book.
(c) It reveals the misconception that writing is easy.
(d) It shows that people are ignorant.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the doctor write?

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

3. What is the main thing readers think when starting an article?

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

5. How does a writer become better at his craft?

(see the answer keys)

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