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

2. There is another element in the making of a good writer according to King's statements. What is it?
(a) To have definite writing goals.
(b) To write frequently.
(c) To write when the muse strikes.
(d) To write a lot.

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

4. What is unusual about the character Annie Wilkes?
(a) She maintains her good qualities while committing her sins.
(b) Her prisoner finds her sympathetic.
(c) She is a psychopath with redeeming qualities.
(d) She is a good person doing evil deeds.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. With respect to vocabulary, King states that __________ does not matter:

2. According to King, what goes in the top of the writer's toolbox?

3. What does King's uncle use from the toolbox?

4. There is an old adage in writing: write what you know. How does King feel about this?

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

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. 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?

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

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

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

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

7. 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?

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

9. 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?

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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