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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 advice does Zinsser give to employees who want to change business writing?
(a) Write the way they want regardless of what their bosses say.
(b) Take their concerns to the board.
(c) Complain to HR.
(d) Keep trying to change it and make it better.

2. What is an example of American television shows that use humor to talk about serious issues?
(a) The Today Show.
(b) The Evening News.
(c) Saturday Night Live.
(d) The View.

3. What stops Americans from writing memoirs?
(a) Editors hate reading memoirs therefore don't pick them up.
(b) People don't like reading memoires.
(c) Memoires don't sell well enough.
(d) An attitude to please teachers and not readers.

4. Why is it important for writers to practice?
(a) Writers dont need to practice, they just need to write.
(b) In order to make daily word counts.
(c) In order to stay ahead of other writers that are also looking for jobs.
(d) Writing is a craft, much like dancing and painting. All three need to do their thing.

5. Why do writers need to stick to rules?
(a) To impress their teachers with their adherance to rules.
(b) In order to get taken seriously and get picked up by an agent.
(c) To get a copy past their editors on time.
(d) Writers need to stick to rules because readers expect them to.

Short Answer Questions

1. Does Zinsser ever use humor in his writing?

2. What are Zinsser's four articles of faith to writing well?

3. Why is it so hard to write about places?

4. What is different about every writer's voice?

5. What is a memoir?

Short Essay Questions

1. Should sports writers add their opinions in sports articles?

2. What are some of the hardest parts of writing about performances?

3. What tense do business writer stend to use that hurts their writing?

4. Why do critics need to be well versed in the art they are writing about?

5. How is taste involved in writing?

6. Why should writers forget about the final product when they are writing?

7. Does Zinsser think that scientists can write?

8. What is a strategy to making sure the above choices fit?

9. Why should exact details be avoided in memoirs? What approach should writers take instead?

10. Does he recommend this level of pride to other writers?

(see the answer keys)

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