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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Can a writer's style be affected to the reader?
(a) No, it has to be manipulated.
(b) Yes, so long as the writing is really dense.
(c) No, it has to be genuine.
(d) Yes, so long as the writing is filled with rich prose.

2. What are the two components of the original Roget's Thesaurus?
(a) Antonyms with very in depth definitions.
(b) A dictionary of antonyms, and one of synonyms.
(c) A dictionary listing of words, and a numberd section with synonyms arranged in broad concepts.
(d) A list of synonyms and their definitions with pictures on one side.

3. What has literature transformed into?
(a) Literature is still mainly novels,and very rarely includes other writing.
(b) Literature has not transformed at all.
(c) Literature now includes poetry.
(d) Literature now includes nonfiction and fiction alike.

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

5. What does it convey when anyone says he can write a book if he wanted to?
(a) It reveals the misconception that writing is easy.
(b) It reveals how easy it is to write a book.
(c) It shows that people are ignorant.
(d) It shows that there are many talented people in the world.

6. What does Zinsser do before submitting a piece of writing?
(a) He edits everything three times.
(b) He submits his writing to his family.
(c) He has his wife read his work.
(d) He reads everything aloud.

7. Who is rivaling everything that Zissner is saying?
(a) A student in the audience.
(b) Another writer.
(c) A doctor who writes for a hobby.
(d) The professor of the class.

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

9. What does a Thesaurus help a writer with, besides finding alternate words?
(a) A thesaurus can help when writing in another language.
(b) Provides easy word webs.
(c) A thesaurus is a powerful stimulant to a writer's imagination.
(d) The book can help a writer become an expert in opposites.

10. What tense does Zissner recommend when starting a new piece?
(a) Second person.
(b) Third person.
(c) Combination third and first.
(d) First person.

11. What happens when a product of writing is never read?
(a) It gets burned.
(b) The author's reputation is harmed.
(c) It gets categorized under the bad books section.
(d) It becomes worthless and a waste of good time.

12. What attitude should writers embrace towards their editors?
(a) Don't worry about the editor because you should please your audience first.
(b) Worry about the editor and the readers. They will buy and sell your books.
(c) Don't worry about pleasing them initially.
(d) Worry only about the editor in order to get published.

13. Literature was once considered solely as what?
(a) Historical pieces.
(b) Great novels.
(c) Writing by only certain authors.
(d) Fiction only.

14. Why doesn't Zissner provide examples of these writers he admires?
(a) Because of copyright law.
(b) He didn't want their writing to prove better than his.
(c) Because he has a word count limit to abide to.
(d) So that people will go to the library to discover the writers themselves.

15. What is another important characteristic of a writer?
(a) To be aware of the rhythm and sound of words together.
(b) To be aware of the way words are spelled.
(c) To sound out simple sentences.
(d) To sound out simple syllables.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the real audience in a piece of writing?

2. Why is consistency in verb tense so important?

3. Why does the doctor write?

4. A musician must practice scales, and a writer must practice ______________.

5. When can ornamental writing be used as an exception?

(see the answer keys)

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