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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. How does King use this advice from his uncle?
(a) He applies it to his writing.
(b) He buys new tools every time he receives a check for his work.
(c) He falls in love with tools and creates his own toolbox for chores around the house.
(d) He always takes all his tools when he has to fix something.

2. According to King, what characteristic should a writer's space have?
(a) A quiet place with a radio and a computer.
(b) A calming venue with only a telephone and a computer.
(c) An office space with files, computer, printer, and a telephone.
(d) A simple place with little or no distractions.

3. What does King's uncle use from the toolbox?
(a) A screwdriver and a hammer.
(b) Several tools.
(c) Only a screwdriver.
(d) A hammer and some nails.

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

5. What advice does King give on paragraphs?
(a) King believes paragraphs should not vary in length.
(b) To pay attention to the length and number of paragraphs.
(c) King feels paragraphs should have a standard length of 8 to 10 lines.
(d) King wants writers to see their paragraphs as a graphic picture on a page.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does King feel that plotting out a novel is not wise?

2. What kind of verbs does King recommend be used when writing?

3. Why does King's uncle carry the whole toolbox with him?

4. How many words a day does King try to produce?

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

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

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

4. Explain King's beliefs on vocabulary.

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

6. In the chapter, On Writing, King states every writer should have an agent. Why does he believe this to be important?

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. What are some of the most important aspects of grammar that an aspiring writer should observe according to King?

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

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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