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

2. What difference in pronunciation does Mencken state most sharply distinguishes the two dialects?
(a) The normative "o."
(b) The normative "a."
(c) The normative "ch."
(d) The normative "-ary" suffix.

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

4. Which of the following groups of immigrants does Mencken claim have a profound effect on not only the American vocabulary, but also its pronunciation and idiom?
(a) Italian.
(b) Scottish.
(c) Irish.
(d) Danish.

5. In what language did the American derivative "coyote" originate?
(a) French.
(b) Mayan.
(c) Spanish.
(d) Aztec.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which word do Americans use for "angry" that was once an English provincialism considered base?

2. In terms of politics, an American candidate "runs" for office. What does an English candidate do?

3. What purpose does the double negative primarily serve?

4. How does Mencken characterize the vulgar American habitual use of the double negative?

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

(see the answer key)

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