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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. In addition to comments on paragraphs, King mentions one other feature of the page. What is it?
(a) How one physical paragraph relates to the others.
(b) The amount of white space on a page.
(c) The borders of the page.
(d) How the type looks on the page.

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

3. There is an old adage in writing: write what you know. How does King feel about this?
(a) He believes that writers should follow this advice, but not in a literal way.
(b) He suggests writers research questions they are interested in and then write about them.
(c) He hopes that writers will experiment and not be limited by this statement.
(d) He urges writers to ignore this advice and write what they think is important and of value.

4. Why does King's uncle carry the whole toolbox with him?
(a) Because he can't go back home between jobs.
(b) Because it is a habit.
(c) Because lifting it gives him a workout.
(d) Because he says a person could never be sure what tools he would need.

5. What is King's most important injunction to writers?
(a) Writers must be original.
(b) Writers should be honest.
(c) Writers need to have their own space.
(d) Writers must work every day.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to King, what three things are the bases of all stories?

2. However, King does believe _______ to be essential to a writer's vocabulary.

3. What does King feel he will accomplish with his technique regarding description?

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

5. How could the object King's uncle inherits be described?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Both with vocabulary and 'above all else' King emphasizes honesty. Explain 'honesty' according to King and in your own words.

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

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

6. In the chapter, On Writing, King states that writer's retreats and creative writing classes are unnecessary. Why did King consider these opportunities a waste of time?

7. In the chapter, On Writing, King says some critics of his work claim that he is a hack. What is a hack and what evidence can you find to support the statement that King is a hack?

8. 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?

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

(see the answer keys)

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