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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 9.8 | Chapter 9.9.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What letter, when preceding a consonant, greatly irritated Henry James like a "morose grinding of the back teeth?"
(a) T.
(b) G.
(c) R.
(d) E.

2. In what language does Mencken state the double negative was once "quite respectable?"
(a) Anglo-Saxon.
(b) Spanish.
(c) Russian.
(d) French.

3. According to Mencken, how do the English pronounce "been?"
(a) Bain.
(b) Bein.
(c) Bean.
(d) Bin.

4. Which double negative word is primarily found in Shakespeare?
(a) No.
(b) Nor.
(c) Never.
(d) Not.

5. In terms of politics, an American candidate "runs" for office. What does an English candidate do?
(a) Stands.
(b) Sprints.
(c) Jumps.
(d) Sits.

Short Answer Questions

1. What word was "coatee" used as a diminutive for?

2. What is the physical basis to which the nasal twang of Americans is ascribed?

3. How do the English pronounce the first syllable in "lieutenant"?

4. What purpose does the double negative primarily serve?

5. What does Sayce say that language is composed of in 1879?

(see the answer key)

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