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

2. How many words a day does King try to produce?
(a) 1500 words.
(b) 3000 words.
(c) 5000 words.
(d) 2000 words.

3. Where does King get the idea for the novel Misery?
(a) From his wife.
(b) From a book he was reading.
(c) From a dream.
(d) From a TV show.

4. What is a common characteristic of adverbs?
(a) Frequently adverbs end in -ness.
(b) Most adverbs end in -ed.
(c) Oftentimes adverbs end with -ier.
(d) Many adverbs end in -ly.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What book does King recommend for grammar study?

3. If used correctly, King believes that dialogue could be what object for a writer?

4. How does King feel about writers improving their work?

5. How does King paint the main character from The Dead Zone?

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. What evidence can you find about King's feelings on Strunk and White's Elements of Style?

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

4. 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.

5. Explain King's beliefs on vocabulary.

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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