View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 9.10.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What leads most of the studies of the sounds of the American common speech astray, according to Mencken in Chapter 9.10?
(a) Laziness.
(b) Individualistic interpretation.
(c) A lack of scope.
(d) English conventionalism.

2. What language did "ambassador," "ancestor," and "bachelor" come into English from?
(a) Latin.
(b) French.
(c) Spanish.
(d) Italian.

3. To what continent does Mencken attribute the acknowledgment of the differences between American and British English?
(a) Asia.
(b) Europe.
(c) North America.
(d) South America.

4. What word best describes the English attitude towards the adoption of foreign loan-words, in contrast to the American attitude?
(a) Liberal.
(b) Accepting.
(c) Conservative.
(d) Tolerating.

5. What sound did Webster object to inserting in words such as "gradual" and "nature," before the "u"?
(a) Y.
(b) Dh.
(c) Ch.
(d) T.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the author of "Dissertations on the English Language"?

2. What word did Webster argue should have its vowel sound changed to "ee" instead of "eh"?

3. Mencken describes the American language as having a "democratic enmity" to all what, in the beginning of Chapter 6.1?

4. What vowel sound was dominant in 18th century New England pronunciation, despite common protests to the contrary?

5. Which impulse behind American imitation of English orthography is more influential?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 215 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample