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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In which hospital is White staying when he writes to his friend, Jim Wright?

2. What type of background did White's mother have?

3. Writing under a nom de plume, what does White express concern over?

4. What state did White and his family travel to in August?

5. What idea does White speak against while in Washington?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does White describe kindergarten and high school?

2. What causes White to write a seething letter to the New York Herald Tribune?

3. What suggestions does White have for the New Yorker between 1932 and 1935?

4. How do White and Katharine handle their careers when they are first married?

5. Why does Katharine hesitate before agreeing to marry White?

6. Why does White decline a job offer from the Saturday Review?

7. How does White begin writing for the New Yorker, and what does he do once his position becomes permanent?

8. How does White return to the New Yorker and what embarrassing situation does he encounter there?

9. What is the purpose of White's letter to John Wentworth in 1947?

10. What description does White provide of his wedding?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In 1937, White displays his whimsical nature in a letter to Katharine.

1) Explain White's motivation for his letter, leaving the New Yorker, and why he thinks it is an ancient privilege to live in a whimsical way rather than a reasonable way.

2) Compare his decision in the letter with other impulsive decisions that he has made, such as unannounced vacations, trips, etc.

3) Analyze White's tone in his letter to Katharine, what he hopes to accomplish, and the aspects of his decision that he has considered as well as the ones that he has not considered.

Essay Topic 2

White and Howard Cushman travel across the country in 1922 to learn about writing and life.

1) Describe Howard Cushman, his situation, and why he wants to embark on a cross country trip.

2) Explain White's motivation for the trip and what he hopes to accomplish.

3) Analyze White's job with the Seattle Times and his relationship with Alice Burchfield during the time of his trip.

Essay Topic 3

"Charlotte's Web" is considered to be White's most popular book and one of the most recognized children's stories for several reasons.

1) Describe White's farm and the inspiration behind the ideas that formed "Charlotte's Web".

2) Explain White's concerns with the illustrations for the book, "Charlotte's Web", and how he resolves them with his publisher.

3) Describe the issues that White has with the cover art for the book, "Charlotte's Web", the suggestions and advice that he gives to his publisher, and why the advice is particularly appropriate.

4) Analyze White's reaction to the success of "Charlotte's Web", and whether or not he is surprised that it connects with children in such a huge way.

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