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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What is the problem with American writing?
(a) It is too complex.
(b) The writing is too sloppy.
(c) It isn't complex enough.
(d) Americans are bad at fact checking.

3. What is the main thing readers think when starting an article?
(a) They want to know whether it is worth it to read the article.
(b) They want to know how soon they will find the answer to the original thesis question of an article.
(c) They want to know whether the writer is credible or not.
(d) They want to know how long it will take them to read the article.

4. What is unity in writing?
(a) Unity is when characters are unipolar and one dimensional.
(b) Unity is where the writer maintains consistency throughout an entire piece.
(c) Unity is when the writer sticks to one plot.
(d) Unity is when the characters in a story are united and never disagree with one another.

5. How many people are in the American Heritage Dictionary Usage Panel?
(a) 10 writers.
(b) 14 writers and poets.
(c) 104 writers, poets, editors, and teachers.
(d) 1000 writers, poets, and editors.

Short Answer Questions

1. What group of people does the author think has the worst type of writing?

2. What is Zinsser's preferred method for interviewing?

3. What is a dash useful for?

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

5. Which is the simplest sentence?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is nonfiction now considered to be literature?

2. What are some examples of bad writing that has to be read?

3. Who does Zinsser say are the worst writers guilty of clutter?

4. Why does the English language change all the time? Can you give an example of a language that never changes and why?

5. Why are thesauri so good for brainstorming?

6. Why is it important for writers to maintain unity throughout a piece? Three things are vitally important.

7. Why are writers fearful to insert their own opinions, ideas, and judgments in their own writing?

8. How much information should a writer gather before writing a piece? Why is it important?

9. Why are interviews so important to an article?

10. Why does Zinsser use brackets on students' papers?

(see the answer keys)

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