Question

adapted from chapter 3: finding subjects and material
in how to write special feature articles
by w.g. bleyer
\what shall i write about?\ is the first question that
inexperienced writers ask their literary advisers. \if you
havent anything to write about, why write at all?\ might be
an easy answer. most persons, as a matter of fact, have
plenty to write about but do not realize it. not lack of
subjects, but inability to recognize the possibilities of what
lies at hand, is their real difficulty.
the best method of finding subjects is to look at every
person, every event, every experience—in short, at
everything—with a view to seeing whether or not it has
possibilities for a special feature article. even in the
apparently prosaic round of everyday life will be found a
variety of themes.
\every foot of ground is five feet deep with subjects: all
you have to do is to scratch the surface for one,\ declared
the editor of a popular magazine who is also a successful
writer of special articles. this statement may be taken as
literally true. within the narrow confines of ones house
and yard, for instance, are many topics. a years
experience with the family budget, a homemade device,
and a practical means of economizing in household
management are forms of personal experience that may
be made interesting to newspaper and magazine readers.
ones own experience, always a rich field, may be
supplemented by experiences of neighbors and friends.
a second source of subjects is the daily newspaper.
local news will give the writer clues that he can follow up
by visiting the places mentioned, interviewing the persons
concerned, and gathering other relevant material. when
news comes from a distance, he can write to the persons
most likely to have the desired information. in neither
case can he be sure, until he has investigated, that an

9
directions: select all the correct answers.
in which two ways does the structure of the passage influence the authors exposition about finding the right
subject matter for writing?
the author concludes the text by emphasizing the importance of publishing
material in journals in order to find new subjects.
the author opens by addressing the misconception that people lack subjects for
writing.
the author uses a chronological structure to provide the steps for finding
subjects.
the author organizes the text by theme so that the reader can understand the
universality of subjects.
the author uses examples to show that sources for writing can easily be found

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Explanation:

1. The passage starts by talking about inexperienced writers thinking they have nothing to write about (a misconception), so the first correct option is "The author opens by addressing the misconception that people lack subjects for writing."
2. The author gives examples like a year's experience with family budget, homemade device, etc., to show that writing sources are easy to find, so "The author uses examples to show that sources for writing can easily be found" is correct.
3. The text is organized around the theme of finding subjects, showing how various experiences and sources can be used, helping readers see the universality of subjects, so "The author organizes the text by theme so that the reader can understand the universality of subjects" is correct.

The other options are incorrect: the author does not conclude by emphasizing publishing material in journals, does not use a chronological structure, and does not conclude by emphasizing journal material for new subjects.

Answer:

The author opens by addressing the misconception that people lack subjects for writing.
The author uses examples to show that sources for writing can easily be found.
The author organizes the text by theme so that the reader can understand the universality of subjects.