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

2. What is a major job of a nonfiction writer?
(a) Learning as much as possible about a subject before taking on a project.
(b) Conducting interviews with people who know about the writing project subject.
(c) Majoring in the subject they will write about.
(d) Taking on a project with a clean slate. Just like a jury in a legal battle.

3. How does Zinsser approach unusual words?
(a) He is very conservative and will never cross a proper word line.
(b) He is modern when it comes to English, but would rather keep it simple.
(c) He accepts some, but not all.
(d) He is very welcoming of a transforming English language.

4. Good writing is ______________.
(a) Seen often.
(b) Easy to teach.
(c) Easy.
(d) Very difficult.

5. What is a natural inclination for writers when they start a piece?
(a) They ramble through an unnecessary introduction.
(b) They assume the readers know what they are writing about.
(c) Writers assume readers know nothing about what they are writing about.
(d) They don't give enough background information.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens when a product of writing is never read?

2. What other group of people uses euphemisms or fad terms?

3. Why is the above a problem?

4. Who is rivaling everything that Zissner is saying?

5. When does the writing start for a nonfiction article?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do writers have a hard time starting at the "true beginning?"

2. Does Zinsser believe it is important for an author's personality to shine through his or her writing?

3. What are Zinsser's thoughts on the writing profession?

4. Do gimmicks usually work in good writing?

5. Why does Zinsser avoid using journalism as a model for good writers?

6. What do all good writers do when it comes to improving?

7. Why are rhythm and sound important in writing? What should writers do to improve this aspect of their writing?

8. Why are thesauri so good for brainstorming?

9. Who is the real audience in a piece of writing?

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

(see the answer keys)

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