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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 does King feel about writers improving their work?
(a) He is sure only good writers can successfully improve their writing.
(b) He feels a good writer can become an excellent writer, but a bad writer will always be bad.
(c) He believes writers improve their work through experience.
(d) He believes bad writers can become good writers.

2. King has been called a hack over the years. What is a hack?
(a) A literary drudge.
(b) A writer of trivial matter.
(c) An excellent writer.
(d) A writer with no talent.

3. How does King feel about figures of speech?
(a) He says they should be avoided.
(b) He thinks that writers should use other ways of transmitting their thoughts.
(c) He thinks they should be used extensively.
(d) He says a writer should avoid similes and metaphors that are cliché and make little sense.

4. How does King use theme in his novels?
(a) To create a moral in his work.
(b) To help him stay on course.
(c) To illustrate otherwise obscure points.
(d) To guide the plot along.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does King emphasize the importance of reading?

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

3. In order to ignore a grammar rule, what does King believe must be observed?

4. What does King say about adverbs?

5. According to King, which element of a novel is less important than aspiring writers might believe?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the chapter, On Writing, King states that a writer should 'write what he knows'. What ideas justify this statement?

2. What is the second most important tool according to King?

3. What evidence can you find to support King's claim that plot is less necessary than many would have the writer believe?

4. What is King trying to tell the aspiring writer about finding his voice?

5. How would you evaluate King's advice to aspiring writers in the chapters, What Writing Is, and Toolbox?

6. Explain the significance of King's statement that a good writer can become an excellent writer, but a bad writer will always be a bad writer according to King in On Writing.

7. Explain King's beliefs on vocabulary.

8. Why does King believe that adverbs, especially those ending in -ly are unnecessary?

9. In the chapter, On Writing, King explains that description should be the smallest amount possible. How would you evaluate King's beliefs on writing description?

10. What evidence can you find about King's feelings on Strunk and White's Elements of Style?

(see the answer keys)

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