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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What lesson does the experience with his uncle teach King?
(a) He learns to appreciate physical labor.
(b) He learns to have the toolbox handy and ready for odd jobs around the house.
(c) He learns the importance of having the right tool for the job.
(d) He always remembers the advice and learned to be prepared.

2. With respect to vocabulary, King states that __________ does not matter:
(a) The extent of a writer's vocabulary.
(b) Whether a writer's vocabulary is highly educated or simple.
(c) The cleverness of a writer's vocabulary.
(d) The beauty of a writer's vocabulary.

3. What are King's feelings on grammar study?
(a) Grammar should be studied at length.
(b) Grammar should be studied only through high school.
(c) Grammar should be learned intuitively.
(d) Lengthy grammar study is unnecessary.

4. What book does King recommend for grammar study?
(a) Strunk and White's Elements of Style.
(b) Betty Azar's Understanding and Using English Grammar.
(c) Any good high school grammar text.
(d) Prentice-Hall Handbook of Grammar.

5. Why does King emphasize the importance of reading?
(a) He wants writers to appreciate different styles of writing.
(b) He thinks that writers need to see what other writers are writing about.
(c) He feels that writers need to widen their horizons.
(d) He believes a writer learns his craft from reading.

6. Why does King's uncle carry the whole toolbox with him?
(a) Because lifting it gives him a workout.
(b) Because he says a person could never be sure what tools he would need.
(c) Because it is a habit.
(d) Because he can't go back home between jobs.

7. According to King, grammar rules were _______________ .
(a) Convenient conventions.
(b) Necessary for communication.
(c) To be followed.
(d) Made to be broken.

8. King also suggests limiting speaker attributes. What are speaker attributes?
(a) Description of the physical appearance of a speaker.
(b) The physical and psychological profile of a speaker.
(c) The use of words such as 'he said' or 'she proclaimed'.
(d) This is when a speaker 'attributes' words to another person, i.e. 'Goethe stated...'.

9. According to King, what goes in the top of the writer's toolbox?
(a) Study and preparation through classwork.
(b) The most important tools for writing.
(c) Practice in writing.
(d) A grounding in literature.

10. What does King's uncle use from the toolbox?
(a) A hammer and some nails.
(b) Several tools.
(c) Only a screwdriver.
(d) A screwdriver and a hammer.

11. According to King, what three things are the bases of all stories?
(a) Narration, dialogue, and characterization.
(b) Characterization, dialogue and theme.
(c) Dialogue, theme, and description.
(d) Narration, dialogue, and description.

12. There is another element in the making of a good writer according to King's statements. What is it?
(a) To write frequently.
(b) To have definite writing goals.
(c) To write a lot.
(d) To write when the muse strikes.

13. At what point does King try to add symbolism to his work?
(a) In the second draft.
(b) In the first draft.
(c) While editing the novel.
(d) When it seems to be important to do so.

14. King claims __________ is the second most important tool in a writer's toolbox.
(a) Theme.
(b) A good plot.
(c) Beauty of expression.
(d) Grammar.

15. What is a common characteristic of adverbs?
(a) Most adverbs end in -ed.
(b) Frequently adverbs end in -ness.
(c) Oftentimes adverbs end with -ier.
(d) Many adverbs end in -ly.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does King feel about writers improving their work?

2. In addition to his injunction, King wants writers to leave something behind when they write. What should writers leave behind?

3. According to King, which element of a novel is less important than aspiring writers might believe?

4. What does King's uncle take with him when he works?

5. According to King, what should dialogue represent?

(see the answer keys)

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