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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 King's first piece of advice to those reading the chapter, On Writing?
(a) To practice their writing using his suggestions.
(b) To read.
(c) To write every day.
(d) To believe in their work.

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

3. What are King's feelings on grammar study?
(a) Grammar should be learned intuitively.
(b) Grammar should be studied at length.
(c) Grammar should be studied only through high school.
(d) Lengthy grammar study is unnecessary.

4. Which speaker attributes does King find acceptable for the majority of dialogue?
(a) The basic 'he said', 'she said'.
(b) Those which use active verbs.
(c) Whichever ones are necessary to convey the meaning of the scene.
(d) Clever ones that break up the monotony of the 'he said', 'she said' routine.

5. How does King define vocabulary?
(a) A knowledge of words used by different people that you are going to write about.
(b) Good words and knowledge of how to use them.
(c) The sum of the words you know.
(d) An essential tool for good writing.

Short Answer Questions

1. What kind of material should a writer read in order to learn the most from his reading?

2. King's comparison of a handyman's toolbox with a writer's tool box is which figure of speech?

3. What book does King recommend for grammar study?

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

5. In conclusion, what is the chapter, Toolbox, about?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the chapter, On Writing, King says characters should be multi-dimensional. What motive is there for trying to give all characters evil, as well as good, characteristics?

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 states every writer should have an agent. Why does he believe this to be important?

4. 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?

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

6. King stated aspiring writers should not use speaker attributes other than said. What are speaker attributes and why would King warn against using them?

7. How would some of King's other beliefs about writing increase a reader's pleasure? Explain in your own words.

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

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

10. What inference can you make from King's claim in On Writing that a writer should have a specific space in which to work?

(see the answer keys)

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