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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 does King's uncle inherit?
(a) A car.
(b) A silver watch.
(c) A large toolbox.
(d) The house.

2. Which genre does King feel Misery will belong to when he begins to write the story?
(a) A short story.
(b) A novella.
(c) A screenplay.
(d) A novel.

3. From whom does King's uncle inherit something?
(a) From his mother.
(b) From his grandfather.
(c) From his father, King's grandfather.
(d) From his brother.

4. What equipment does a writer need according to King?
(a) A telephone, a desk, and a computer.
(b) A computer, or a pad of paper, and perhaps some music.
(c) A desk and a chair with a typewriter.
(d) A telephone, a computer, and some music.

5. What does King's uncle take with him when he works?
(a) Usually his screwdriver, a hammer, a few nails and screws.
(b) Only a couple of his favorite tools.
(c) The specific tools needed for the job.
(d) His entire toolbox.

Short Answer Questions

1. Does King feel that a writer should blindly follow all the rules in the book he recommends?

2. What action does King believe a writer should take with respect to grammar?

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

4. How does King suggest writers improve their vocabulary?

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

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. 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?

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

5. Explain King's beliefs on vocabulary.

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

7. 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?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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