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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to King, what characteristics should all characters possess?
(a) Characteristics which make them seem perfect.
(b) Endearing qualities.
(c) Characteristics that make the reader sympathetic.
(d) Evil characteristics as well as good ones.

2. What kind of verbs does King recommend be used when writing?
(a) Verbs in the active voice, present tense.
(b) Verbs in the passive voice, past tense.
(c) Verbs of vivid action.
(d) Verbs in the active voice.

3. In the chapter, Toolbox, what advice does King give the reader?
(a) Writers need their own toolbox to be successful.
(b) Writers should carefully prepare their tools before beginning to write.
(c) Writers need to have outlets other than writing.
(d) Writers should always be prepared.

4. Where does King get the idea for the novel Misery?
(a) From a TV show.
(b) From his wife.
(c) From a dream.
(d) From a book he was reading.

5. According to King, grammar rules were _______________ .
(a) Made to be broken.
(b) Convenient conventions.
(c) To be followed.
(d) Necessary for communication.

6. King's comparison of a handyman's toolbox with a writer's tool box is which figure of speech?
(a) Epigram.
(b) Irony.
(c) Simile.
(d) Metaphor.

7. What is a common characteristic of adverbs?
(a) Most adverbs end in -ed.
(b) Oftentimes adverbs end with -ier.
(c) Frequently adverbs end in -ness.
(d) Many adverbs end in -ly.

8. From whom does King's uncle inherit something?
(a) From his father, King's grandfather.
(b) From his grandfather.
(c) From his brother.
(d) From his mother.

9. What book does King recommend for grammar study?
(a) Prentice-Hall Handbook of Grammar.
(b) Betty Azar's Understanding and Using English Grammar.
(c) Any good high school grammar text.
(d) Strunk and White's Elements of Style.

10. What action does King believe a writer should take with respect to grammar?
(a) To ask teachers about things which confuse the writer.
(b) To thoroughly read a well-known grammar text.
(c) To research the writer's specific doubts on the Internet.
(d) To ignore grammar and let editors correct any obvious mistakes.

11. Why does King feel that plotting out a novel is not wise?
(a) He wants his characters to be free to act.
(b) He feels that the story creates the plot.
(c) He believes it would be dishonest to the characters.
(d) He likes for his story to develop, and then he tries to mold the plot when necessary.

12. According to King, what goes in the top of the writer's toolbox?
(a) Study and preparation through classwork.
(b) A grounding in literature.
(c) The most important tools for writing.
(d) Practice in writing.

13. According to King, what three things are the bases of all stories?
(a) Dialogue, theme, and description.
(b) Characterization, dialogue and theme.
(c) Narration, dialogue, and description.
(d) Narration, dialogue, and characterization.

14. Why does King take this position on adverbs?
(a) He feels adverbs do the thinking for the reader.
(b) He believes that by using adverbs, a writer won't stretch his imagination.
(c) He wants to limit the words in his books.
(d) He feels adverbs are a crutch for the writer.

15. In order to ignore a grammar rule, what does King believe must be observed?
(a) Nothing.
(b) An explanation must be given to the reader.
(c) A new rule must be created.
(d) It must be done properly.

Short Answer Questions

1. What activity might cause King to work on days he normally doesn't work?

2. What does King consider to be a writer's practice?

3. When does King hold himself to the minimum number of words per day?

4. How does King paint the main character from The Dead Zone?

5. From King's statements, what element should be used to illustrate a character?

(see the answer keys)

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