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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Preface to Pygmalion. A Professor of Phonetics.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Shaw, what can people do to get rid of their low-class accents?
(a) They should imitate people who speak proper English.
(b) It cannot be done in real life.
(c) They must be trained by a phonetics expert.
(d) People should not try to get rid of their low-class accents; they should be proud of the way they speak.

2. At which university does Sweet teach?
(a) The Imperial Institute in London.
(b) Oxford.
(c) Cambridge.
(d) Harvard.

3. What is a problem with the English language, according to Shaw?
(a) It doesn't have a beautiful sound when spoken.
(b) It is a vulgar language when compared to Latinate languages such as French.
(c) It is difficult for foreigners to learn well.
(d) It is not spelled the way it should be pronounced.

4. Which elements of the English alphabet have no agreed speech value?
(a) The consonants and some vowels.
(b) The vowels and some consonants.
(c) The vowels.
(d) The consonants.

5. Which system does Shaw use to write his Preface?
(a) Current Shorthand.
(b) Gregg.
(c) Pitman.
(d) A typewriter.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does an upside-down e represent?

2. What are the Pitman and Gregg systems?

3. Which is true of Pygmalion at the time Shaw wrote his Preface?

4. Which of the following does Shaw identify as a problem among his fellow English?

5. Based on what you read in the Preface, with which of the following statements do you think Shaw would agree?

(see the answer key)

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