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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 the first chapter, C.V., about?
(a) Stories about King's early life.
(b) Stories from King's childhood related to how he became a writer.
(c) Stories related to how King became a horror novelist.
(d) Stories about King's views on writing.

2. If a reader does not see an image the same way as the writer, how has the image changed?
(a) As the reader reads about it, the details change.
(b) The image doesn't change. It is the same image.
(c) The image becomes more elaborated.
(d) The creative process changes the image to fit the story.

3. What happens to Carrie when King sends it off to the publisher?
(a) The publisher sells it for $2500.
(b) King receives a check for $250.
(c) King receives a telegram saying the book needed revisions.
(d) It sells, and he receives an advance of $2500.

4. What type of job does King believe writing to be?
(a) A serious one.
(b) One requiring hard work.
(c) A joyous one.
(d) One of drudgery.

5. Why does King miss his first year of school?
(a) Because his mother homeschools him.
(b) Because he moves too many times.
(c) Because of chronic ear and throat infections.
(d) Because of his father.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does King state he feels about writing for money?

2. How can the book, On Writing, be described?

3. What is the third specific item King states his book on writing will NOT be?

4. What is the first object described in the image in the second chapter?

5. What does one of King's babysitters do to him?

Short Essay Questions

1. When King asks the writer to accept 'the magic of writing, but to take it seriously', what is he saying?

2. How would you summarize the different jobs King had during his early career? How might these jobs have influenced his work?

3. Why does King want his readers to put his book down if they are unable to accept that writing is magic?

4. What facts or ideas show the beginnings of King's career as a master of horror?

5. How did King learn to edit his work? Why was this important to the young writer?

6. King believed that writing is telepathy. What is telepathy in the context of this statement?

7. As a child, King had many chronic ear and throat infections. How might these illnesses lead King to writing?

8. After Tabitha King's intervention in her husband's addictions, King insisted on moving his desk. How was this symbolically important to him?

9. In what way is the book, On Writing, to be different from King's usual work?

10. King was a heavy drinker and addicted to cocaine. He believed that these two elements contributed to his creativity. In terms of the chapter, C.V., do you think his belief was justified? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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