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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 2.3 | Chapter 2.4.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Whose clarity of prevision does Mencken praise in the opening of Chapter 1.1?
(a) Madison.
(b) Jefferson.
(c) Franklin.
(d) Waldo.

2. How many classifications of Americanisms does Gilbert M. Tucker provide in 1921?
(a) Twelve.
(b) Two.
(c) Twenty.
(d) Thirteen.

3. What is the principal reason Mencken states that the English language has not greatly diverged since the foundation of the United States of America?
(a) Transatlantic communication.
(b) Transatlantic travel.
(c) Solidarity of higher education.
(d) American neo-classical tastes.

4. Mencken claims that Noah Webster contains less of the scientific inquirer and more of what?
(a) The philological traditionalist.
(b) The teacher.
(c) The erudite fool.
(d) The father.

5. Which defender of Americanisms cited by Mencken in Chapter 1.3 states that "Language is made by the people"?
(a) Edgar Jepson.
(b) George Ade.
(c) Richard Aldington.
(d) William Archer.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. According to the tale spread by William Gifford, what language was supposed to be substituted for English during the Revolutionary War?

3. What language does Mencken quote Sidney Low as saying is not taught to English youth?

4. From what language does the English word "moose" come?

5. According to Mencken, what did the first generations born in the New World value as a virtue over enterprise and resourcefulness?

(see the answer key)

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