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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 a second approach Zinsser recommends that complements the first approach mentioned?
(a) Going outside and finding out how a place impacts others.
(b) Going within people's homes and seeing what they feel about foreigners.
(c) Never reading other travel pieces, because this adds to cliched writing.
(d) Writing only in the first person, then deciding on a tense later.

2. Is sports writing different from any other form of good writing?
(a) No, it is just as good as other writing.
(b) Yes, it isn't as comprehensive.
(c) Yes, it isn't as important.
(d) No, good writing is good writing.

3. What does Zinsser make sure his paragraphs do?
(a) He makes sure they all flow and summarize themselves at the end.
(b) He proofreads and makes sure the right punctuation is used throughout.
(c) He makes sure each paragraph draws the reader onward through the entire story.
(d) He makes sure that the last paragraph references all the paragraphs before it.

4. Is there room for opinion when writing a sports article?
(a) Yes. Readers trust sports writers to make sports predictions about their favorite teams.
(b) Writers should limit commentary and stick to the stats.
(c) There is always room for commentary.
(d) Absolutely not.

5. What do people need to understand about science?
(a) It can be learned at any point in life.
(b) It is a foundation that needs to be built upon.
(c) It is easy to understand if given the chance.
(d) Only nerds can learn it.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the fear cause writers to do?

2. Does ZInsser give in to his editor's changes?

3. What is the problem with freelance writers and editors today?

4. How much information should a writer provide to his or her readers?

5. What is a misconception about writers and scientists?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How is taste involved in writing?

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

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

6. Does Zinsser think that scientists can write?

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

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

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

10. Why do writers need to develop their own voice? How does writing compare to other art forms?

(see the answer keys)

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