View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. If used correctly, King believes that dialogue could be what object for a writer?
(a) The least important tool in the writer's toolbox.
(b) A strong tool in the writer's toolbox.
(c) A helpful tool like a monologue.
(d) A clever device used by the writer when necessary.

3. Why does King feel that plotting out a novel is not wise?
(a) He wants his characters to be free to act.
(b) He feels that the story creates the plot.
(c) He believes it would be dishonest to the characters.
(d) He likes for his story to develop, and then he tries to mold the plot when necessary.

4. 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) How the type looks on the page.
(c) The borders of the page.
(d) The amount of white space on a page.

5. What book does King recommend for grammar study?
(a) Strunk and White's Elements of Style.
(b) Any good high school grammar text.
(c) Betty Azar's Understanding and Using English Grammar.
(d) Prentice-Hall Handbook of Grammar.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What does King believe about writers who are too busy to read?

3. Another belief of King is that writers have a special need. What is this need?

4. What is King's first piece of advice to those reading the chapter, On Writing?

5. At what point does King try to add symbolism to his work?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

3. 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?

4. 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?

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

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 says characters should be multi-dimensional. What motive is there for trying to give all characters evil, as well as good, characteristics?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,182 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample