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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 problem does a scientist have when writing about science?
(a) Formatting simple sentences.
(b) He or she forgets to be human, and writes strictly about the science.
(c) Not following basic grammar rules.
(d) Using jargon that only scientists can understand.

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) There is a lack of writing skills learned in college because all the focus is on business.
(c) It is the industry standard.
(d) It is prevalent because subordinates think that the executives want jargon-filled writing in order to sound more professional.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Zinsser think about this misconception?

2. What does Zinsser make sure his paragraphs do?

3. Does Zinsser ever use humor in his writing?

4. What does the process of memoir writing do for a writer?

5. How does Zinsser end his travel article that he wrote about Timbuktu?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What tense do business writer stend to use that hurts their writing?

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

4. How does Zinsser react when editors want to change too much of his work?

5. Why is there an attitude that certain people are only meant to learn certain subjects and skills like writing or science?

6. Why should writers forget about the final product when they are writing?

7. Why are Americans scared to write about themselves?

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

9. Does he recommend this level of pride to other writers?

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

(see the answer keys)

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