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

2. What does King help his uncle fix as a child?
(a) A window screen.
(b) The driveway.
(c) A leaky faucet in the bathroom.
(d) The kitchen sink.

3. Why is it important to King that a writer not be distracted while working?
(a) He feels that distractions cause a writer to lose the desire to work.
(b) He suggests that writers need solitude to clarify their thoughts.
(c) He believes that distractions make achieving a high number of words impossible.
(d) He thinks writers achieve their best work in solitude.

4. How does King feel about figures of speech?
(a) He says a writer should avoid similes and metaphors that are cliché and make little sense.
(b) He thinks that writers should use other ways of transmitting their thoughts.
(c) He thinks they should be used extensively.
(d) He says they should be avoided.

5. According to King, what characteristics should all characters possess?
(a) Evil characteristics as well as good ones.
(b) Endearing qualities.
(c) Characteristics which make them seem perfect.
(d) Characteristics that make the reader sympathetic.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the chapter, Toolbox, what advice does King give the reader?

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

3. In addition to comments on paragraphs, King mentions one other feature of the page. What is it?

4. Which speaker attributes does King find acceptable for the majority of dialogue?

5. How does King suggest writers improve their vocabulary?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. 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?

5. Explain the significance of King's statement that a good writer can become an excellent writer, but a bad writer will always be a bad writer according to King in On Writing.

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

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. 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?

9. What is the second most important tool according to King?

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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