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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part IV: Chapter 20 The Sound of Your Voice.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How rigid are the lines between proper and improper English usage?
(a) They are very rigid and one cannot cross the line.
(b) There is a grey area, though the need for proper English is most important.
(c) They are very soft, and not rigid at all.
(d) There are no lines at all. Every writer has a poetic license to do with words what he or she pleases.

2. What does the etymology of words mean?
(a) The written scripts.
(b) The history of words.
(c) The sound of words.
(d) The biology of words.

3. Which is the simplest sentence?
(a) Simplicity is opporite clutter.
(b) Simplicity is the direct opposite of clutter.
(c) Simplicity is the opposite of clutter.
(d) Simplicity.

4. What are Zinsser's four articles of faith to writing well?
(a) Brevity, quick turnaround, clever sentences and little humanity.
(b) Simplicity, brevity, busy sentences and proper grammer.
(c) Clarity, simplicity, elasticity and minimalism.
(d) Clarity, simplicity, brevity and humanity.

5. What does Zinsser think about writing memoirs?
(a) He encourages them and wants writers to stop being afraid about writing about themselves.
(b) He thinks memoirs are tacky writers.
(c) He likes memoirs and reads them constantly.
(d) He is against memoirs and thinks writers should never write about themselves.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the response previous students have to his style of edits?

2. What is an alternative way of showing astonishment in writing?

3. What is the problem with American writing?

4. What is a common problem with nonfiction writers?

5. What has literature transformed into?

(see the answer key)

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