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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. How does King suggest writers improve their vocabulary?
(a) By reading extensively.
(b) He doesn't believe they should strive to do so.
(c) By learning two or three new words per day.
(d) By carrying vocabulary/definition cards with them at all times and practicing.

3. What is unusual about the character Annie Wilkes?
(a) Her prisoner finds her sympathetic.
(b) She is a good person doing evil deeds.
(c) She maintains her good qualities while committing her sins.
(d) She is a psychopath with redeeming qualities.

4. King's comparison of a handyman's toolbox with a writer's tool box is which figure of speech?
(a) Metaphor.
(b) Simile.
(c) Irony.
(d) Epigram.

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

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

7. If used correctly, King believes that dialogue could be what object for a writer?
(a) A strong tool in the writer's toolbox.
(b) A clever device used by the writer when necessary.
(c) A helpful tool like a monologue.
(d) The least important tool in the writer's toolbox.

8. What advice does King give on paragraphs?
(a) King wants writers to see their paragraphs as a graphic picture on a page.
(b) King feels paragraphs should have a standard length of 8 to 10 lines.
(c) To pay attention to the length and number of paragraphs.
(d) King believes paragraphs should not vary in length.

9. How does King define vocabulary?
(a) An essential tool for good writing.
(b) The sum of the words you know.
(c) Good words and knowledge of how to use them.
(d) A knowledge of words used by different people that you are going to write about.

10. What does King help his uncle fix as a child?
(a) A leaky faucet in the bathroom.
(b) The kitchen sink.
(c) A window screen.
(d) The driveway.

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

12. King gives the example of John Grisham as a writer. What does he say about Grisham?
(a) Grisham is a highly skilled writer who wrote about realistic legal situations.
(b) Grisham ignores the adage write what you know.
(c) Grisham became an excellent writer after researching courtroom drama.
(d) Grisham is a lawyer who wrote about his profession, though the situations in his novels were not realistic.

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

14. How does King paint the main character from The Dead Zone?
(a) He has his flaws and is thoroughly evil.
(b) As a nice, normal boy who is flawed.
(c) He is too perfect.
(d) He is evil but loving.

15. Which speaker attributes does King find acceptable for the majority of dialogue?
(a) Whichever ones are necessary to convey the meaning of the scene.
(b) Those which use active verbs.
(c) Clever ones that break up the monotony of the 'he said', 'she said' routine.
(d) The basic 'he said', 'she said'.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is King's most important injunction to writers?

2. From whom does King's uncle inherit something?

3. What kind of verbs does King recommend be used when writing?

4. What kind of material should a writer read in order to learn the most from his reading?

5. Another belief of King is that writers have a special need. What is this need?

(see the answer keys)

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