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

2. Which word do Americans use for "angry" that was once an English provincialism considered base?
(a) Furious.
(b) Mad.
(c) Pissed.
(d) Irritated.

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

4. 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.

5. How do the English pronounce the first syllable in "lieutenant"?
(a) Lee-oo.
(b) Left.
(c) Yeift.
(d) Loo.

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

2. Which double negative word is primarily found in Shakespeare?

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

4. According to Mencken, how do the English pronounce "been?"

5. What is frequently omitted in phrases indicated desire or intent, as indicated in Chapter 9.9?

(see the answer key)

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