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

2. King gives the example of John Grisham as a writer. What does he say about Grisham?
(a) Grisham became an excellent writer after researching courtroom drama.
(b) Grisham is a highly skilled writer who wrote about realistic legal situations.
(c) Grisham is a lawyer who wrote about his profession, though the situations in his novels were not realistic.
(d) Grisham ignores the adage write what you know.

3. King claims __________ is the second most important tool in a writer's toolbox.
(a) Grammar.
(b) Theme.
(c) Beauty of expression.
(d) A good plot.

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

5. What is unusual about the character Annie Wilkes?
(a) She is a psychopath with redeeming qualities.
(b) She is a good person doing evil deeds.
(c) Her prisoner finds her sympathetic.
(d) She maintains her good qualities while committing her sins.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is King's most important injunction to writers?

2. How does King use this advice from his uncle?

3. There is another element in the making of a good writer according to King's statements. What is it?

4. How does King use theme in his novels?

5. What does King help his uncle fix as a child?

Short Essay Questions

1. King also said 'to not write in fear'. What do you think he means by this statement? Explain in your own words.

2. 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.

3. In the chapter, On Writing, King says a writer can improve his work by reading. How does the advice given by King 'to read' improve a writer's work?

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

5. King believes in writers bringing their 'toolbox' with them when writing. Why is he so impassioned with the concept of a toolbox?

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

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

8. Explain King's beliefs on vocabulary.

9. Why do you think King stresses the importance of writing a lot in On Writing?

10. In the chapter, On Writing, King discusses symbolism and theme as elements best ignored in first drafts. What is the relationship between symbolism and theme in King's work?

(see the answer keys)

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