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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the danger of overusing humor in writing?
(a) A writer will not be taken seriously.
(b) Rejection from not being funny enough, or at all.
(c) It can get tiresome and jokes over time will become weaker.
(d) A writer's credibility will tank.

2. What did he love about the New York Herald?
(a) He appreciated the fair and balanced reporting.
(b) He loved how opinionated all the columnists were.
(c) The style which incorporated warmth, humor and the master of the English language.
(d) He loved that it always came to his doorstep as a child.

3. Did Zinsser always want to write?
(a) No, his love of writing came after being deployed.
(b) No, it was a random interest.
(c) Yes, ever since he was a little boy.
(d) He always wanted to write for a newspaper.

4. What do people forget about writing?
(a) It is easy and anyone can do it.
(b) It is a science that is hard to understand.
(c) It is a craft and it can be learned.
(d) It is a gift that only certain people have.

5. What did his parents teach him that made him a fantastic writer?
(a) His mother was a writer and went to career day at his school.
(b) His mother taught him to spell, and his father taught him to write.
(c) HIs father took him to a field trip to a newspaper office.
(d) His mother instilled in him a love and respect for good writing, and his father taught him to have a strong work ethic.

6. What does the process of memoir writing do for a writer?
(a) It forces them to talk to distant relatives they hate.
(b) It brings up related memories that were pushed into the subconsious.
(c) It brings back bad memories that the person tried to forget.
(d) Nothing but write about everything he or she thinks about daily.

7. Do writers need to write all the time?
(a) Yes, even if they have to force it out.
(b) Yes, because writers are always able to write.
(c) No, if they are not in the mood, it will come out in their writing.
(d) No, writers should only write when they are in the zone.

8. What advice does Zinsser give to employees who want to change business writing?
(a) Complain to HR.
(b) Take their concerns to the board.
(c) Keep trying to change it and make it better.
(d) Write the way they want regardless of what their bosses say.

9. Where is there an opportunity for great creative writing?
(a) LIterary journals.
(b) At the local library.
(c) Online at freelance job web sites.
(d) Writing for the arts is the best opportunity to write creatively.

10. Why do writers need to stick to rules?
(a) Writers need to stick to rules because readers expect them to.
(b) To impress their teachers with their adherance to rules.
(c) In order to get taken seriously and get picked up by an agent.
(d) To get a copy past their editors on time.

11. What are Zinsser's four articles of faith to writing well?
(a) Simplicity, brevity, busy sentences and proper grammer.
(b) Clarity, simplicity, brevity and humanity.
(c) Clarity, simplicity, elasticity and minimalism.
(d) Brevity, quick turnaround, clever sentences and little humanity.

12. Do criticism writers need to take a stance on a show?
(a) Absolutely. They have the power to make or break a show.
(b) Yes, but they should mind their wording to not offend those in the show.
(c) No, that should be left up to the audience.
(d) Opinions should always be left out of writing.

13. Why is it so hard to write about places?
(a) Writers tend to fall into cliches, especially when writing about well known places.
(b) It is hard to translate what the eyes see.
(c) Places change over time and it is hard to stay true to the general feel of a place.
(d) Two people never see a place the same way.

14. Why is it important for writers to practice?
(a) Writers dont need to practice, they just need to write.
(b) In order to stay ahead of other writers that are also looking for jobs.
(c) In order to make daily word counts.
(d) Writing is a craft, much like dancing and painting. All three need to do their thing.

15. Why do criticism writers have to be at a higher level than other writers?
(a) Only those able to understand the arts can write about them, and very little people can.
(b) Criticism need to be stronger at literary elements because they need to recreate a scene or a song in the imagination of their readers with words only.
(c) Criticism is harder to write about because it tends to be less attractive than other writing.
(d) Criticism writers are no different. They still need to use the same basic rules of writing.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is a good way to edit a long story?

2. Writers should always look for ________________.

3. What type of memoirs does Zinsser like reading?

4. Is there room for opinion when writing a sports article?

5. How is humor used in writing nonfiction?

(see the answer keys)

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