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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 occurs when business writing is bad?
(a) People will get fired for bad writing.
(b) Customers will go elsewhere to buy their goods and services.
(c) Investors will agree to terms they do not understand.
(d) Executives get fired for pawning off simple writing tasks.

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

3. Do readers generally like knowing about athletes' personal lives?
(a) Either way, it doesn't really matter.
(b) Yes, they want all the information out there.
(c) Only when it pertains to athletes' outlooks on the sport.
(d) No, they just want to see the athletes play their game.

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

5. 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.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Zinsser create his final products?

2. What type of memoirs does Zinsser like reading?

3. Why should companies learn to produce better writing?

4. Did Zinsser always want to write?

5. What advice does Zinsser give to employees who want to change business writing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why should exact details be avoided in memoirs? What approach should writers take instead?

2. Should sports writers add their opinions in sports articles?

3. What is a good way to learn how to write with humor? How much humor should be used?

4. Why does a writer's fear of new subjects keep him from taking original and interesting projects?

5. Why do critics need to be well versed in the art they are writing about?

6. Explain some of the choices that writers have to take when editing?

7. How is taste involved in writing?

8. What needs to be described in a travel article?

9. Why is humor the most powerful tool for a nonfiction writer?

10. How does Zinsser feel about writing when a writer doesn't want to? Why do writers have this luxury?

(see the answer keys)

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