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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. How much information should a writer provide to his or her readers?
(a) Only dates and times of the show with a thumbs up or down.
(b) Everything about the show that he or she felt was worthwhile.
(c) Enought to make a show worth seeing, without spoiling it for the readers and viewers.
(d) Very little. Readers need to be left in the dark so they can go see a show on their own.

2. What does Zinsser think about this misconception?
(a) He states anyone can write about anything if his approach is correct.
(b) He agrees with it and thinks scientists cannot write at all.
(c) He agrees with it and thinks writers can never understand complex scientific theories.
(d) He disagrees with it, but offers no reason why.

3. What is the danger of overusing humor in writing?
(a) Rejection from not being funny enough, or at all.
(b) It can get tiresome and jokes over time will become weaker.
(c) A writer's credibility will tank.
(d) A writer will not be taken seriously.

4. 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) 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.
(d) Only those able to understand the arts can write about them, and very little people can.

5. Why should companies learn to produce better writing?
(a) To appeal to educators.
(b) To get more clients to understand their terms.
(c) In a capitalistic world, there is always competition and good writing reduces it.
(d) To produce more writing jobs.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is a second approach Zinsser recommends that complements the first approach mentioned?

2. Where did Zinsser learn how to write?

3. What should writers focus on the most?

4. What problem does a scientist have when writing about science?

5. How does Zinsser create his final products?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is corporate speak the norm in business writing?

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

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

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

5. What is a strategy to making sure the above choices fit?

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

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

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

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

10. What is a major pitfall of sports writers?

(see the answer keys)

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