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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. How does King use theme in his novels?
(a) To help him stay on course.
(b) To guide the plot along.
(c) To create a moral in his work.
(d) To illustrate otherwise obscure points.

2. However, King does believe _______ to be essential to a writer's vocabulary.
(a) Cleverness.
(b) Beauty.
(c) Wisdom.
(d) Honesty.

3. How does King feel about figures of speech?
(a) He thinks they should be used extensively.
(b) He says they should be avoided.
(c) He thinks that writers should use other ways of transmitting their thoughts.
(d) He says a writer should avoid similes and metaphors that are cliché and make little sense.

4. What is King's most important injunction to writers?
(a) Writers must work every day.
(b) Writers must be original.
(c) Writers need to have their own space.
(d) Writers should be honest.

5. According to King, what should dialogue represent?
(a) Speech written as we hear it, i.e. Whatcha ya doin'?
(b) Normal speech.
(c) Conversation between characters.
(d) Dialogue should stress the best conversational ability of the characters.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the chapter, Toolbox, what advice does King give the reader?

2. What does King's uncle use from the toolbox?

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

4. According to King, what three things are the bases of all stories?

5. According to King, what goes in the top of the writer's toolbox?

Short Essay Questions

1. King believes in writers bringing their 'toolbox' with them when writing. Why is he so impassioned with the concept of a toolbox?

2. Why does King believe that adverbs, especially those ending in -ly are unnecessary?

3. In the chapter, On Writing, King says characters should be multi-dimensional. What motive is there for trying to give all characters evil, as well as good, characteristics?

4. In the chapter, On Writing, King states that a writer should 'write what he knows'. What ideas justify this statement?

5. What inference can you make from King's claim in On Writing that a writer should have a specific space in which to work?

6. What are some of the most important aspects of grammar that an aspiring writer should observe according to King?

7. In the chapter, On Writing, King says a writer can improve his work by reading. How does the advice given by King 'to read' improve a writer's work?

8. Explain King's beliefs on vocabulary.

9. King stated aspiring writers should not use speaker attributes other than said. What are speaker attributes and why would King warn against using them?

10. King also said 'to not write in fear'. What do you think he means by this statement? Explain in your own words.

(see the answer keys)

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