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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 9.2 | Chapter 9.3.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How is the "portmanteau-word" formed?
(a) By finding the true root in the word.
(b) By onomatopoeic creativity.
(c) By mixing parts of words with the same meaning in different languages.
(d) By blending two words.

2. Who was responsible for the endowment to the Simplified Spelling Board?
(a) Andrew Carnegie.
(b) Horace Hart.
(c) Noah Webster.
(d) Adrian Knox.

3. What principle of spelling was behind much of Webster's theory concerning the simplification of spelling?
(a) Flexibility.
(b) Phonetics.
(c) Convention.
(d) Vowel accentuation.

4. What does Mencken state is neglected by those who are professional trained to investigate it?
(a) Formal grammar.
(b) The vulgate.
(c) Idiosyncrasies.
(d) Philological anomalies.

5. What is the physical basis to which the nasal twang of Americans is ascribed?
(a) The moist climate.
(b) The dry climate.
(c) Genetic diversity.
(d) Colder air.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following was not used as a substitute for the once indecent term, for highly refined ears, "bull"?

2. What moniker of currency has persisted in America despite having no currency properly of that name?

3. According to Dr. Louise Pound, what do Latin plurals tend to become in colloquial American?

4. What word best describes the English attitude towards the adoption of foreign loan-words, in contrast to the American attitude?

5. Which of the following did the African slaves NOT introduce to American English?

(see the answer key)

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