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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does Zinsser throw away in his writing classes?
(a) Deadlines.
(b) Books.
(c) Story prompts.
(d) Story webs.

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

4. What does the fear cause writers to do?
(a) It will lead to excessively bad writing.
(b) It will stop the flow of information.
(c) It will keep writers away from discovering new subjects.
(d) It will make writers stop writing.

5. Why is jargon, or corporate speak, so prevalent in business writing?
(a) It is prevalent because subordinates think that the executives want jargon-filled writing in order to sound more professional.
(b) It is the industry standard.
(c) People lose their ability to write when they take a job since they stop writing.
(d) There is a lack of writing skills learned in college because all the focus is on business.

6. What happens when writers do not stick to proper grammar rules?
(a) It makes readers mad.
(b) It distracts the readers and show conempt for the language.
(c) It makes readers believe that all writing is bad, and they won't ever read again.
(d) It creates more bad writers.

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

8. What should writers focus on the most?
(a) The writing process.
(b) Their editors.
(c) The final product.
(d) Their audience.

9. Why do criticism writers have to be at a higher level than other writers?
(a) Criticism writers are no different. They still need to use the same basic rules of writing.
(b) Criticism is harder to write about because it tends to be less attractive than other writing.
(c) Only those able to understand the arts can write about them, and very little people can.
(d) 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.

10. Do writers need to write all the time?
(a) Yes, because writers are always able to write.
(b) Yes, even if they have to force it out.
(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.

11. What do people need to understand about science?
(a) It is easy to understand if given the chance.
(b) Only nerds can learn it.
(c) It is a foundation that needs to be built upon.
(d) It can be learned at any point in life.

12. What does Zinsser make sure his paragraphs do?
(a) He makes sure that the last paragraph references all the paragraphs before it.
(b) He makes sure they all flow and summarize themselves at the end.
(c) He proofreads and makes sure the right punctuation is used throughout.
(d) He makes sure each paragraph draws the reader onward through the entire story.

13. How does Zinsser end his travel article that he wrote about Timbuktu?
(a) He repeats his first sentence, throws in a stat about the country, and mentions eveyrone should visit at one point in their life.
(b) He generalizes the story.
(c) He ends with a joke about how hot it was in the desert.
(d) He ends by telling the truth and stating how satisfied he was with his desert experience.

14. Is there room for opinion when writing a sports article?
(a) Absolutely not.
(b) Writers should limit commentary and stick to the stats.
(c) There is always room for commentary.
(d) Yes. Readers trust sports writers to make sports predictions about their favorite teams.

15. What stops Americans from writing memoirs?
(a) Memoires don't sell well enough.
(b) People don't like reading memoires.
(c) Editors hate reading memoirs therefore don't pick them up.
(d) An attitude to please teachers and not readers.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is a major problem with humorous writing?

2. What type of memoirs does Zinsser like reading?

3. What is the danger of overusing humor in writing?

4. Does ZInsser give in to his editor's changes?

5. What are Zinsser's four articles of faith to writing well?

(see the answer keys)

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