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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Part II: Chapter 9 The Lead and the Ending.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Who do authors please first with their writing?
(a) Readers.
(b) Themselves.
(c) Editors.
(d) Family members.

3. What is an example of a dead language?
(a) Italian because there is only one country that speaks it.
(b) Chinese because it never changes.
(c) Latin is dead because nobody speaks it anymore.
(d) Spanish because its roots are disintegrating.

4. When should a writer choose the point of view in a piece of writing?
(a) A writer should determine the point of view before writing a new piece.
(b) THe point of view should be determined once the writing is finished and ready for editing.
(c) The point of view can be determined after the writer figures out who will be the main character.
(d) It doesn't matter when the point of view is established.

5. Who is the author talking to at the beginning of the book?
(a) He is talking to his mother.
(b) He is talking with his editor.
(c) He is talking to his wife.
(d) He is presenting to student writers at a Connecticut school.

Short Answer Questions

1. What makes a good first sentence?

2. How does Zinsser approach unusual words?

3. Why do Americans have trouble writing?

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

5. What are the two components of the original Roget's Thesaurus?

(see the answer key)

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