2. What was the main form of communication in the late 1940s?
(a) Letters.
(b) The telephone.
(c) Special couriers.
(d) The telegraph.

3. How did the drummers of Africa differentiate between similar words?
(a) The drummer added special emphasis.
(b) The drummer had to let those receiving the message figure out the right words.
(c) The main drummer was assisted by another drummer.
(d) The drummer added short descriptive phrases.

4. How was "A Table Alphabeticall" intended to help people?
(a) To better understand the use of words.
(b) To learn the history of language.
(c) The learn the alphabet.
(d) To understand the alphabets of the world.

5. How many years ago was the first language established?
(a) Between 4,500 and 8,000 years ago.
(b) Between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago.
(c) 100,000 years ago.
(d) 50,000 years ago.

Short Answer Questions

1. What new word did Claude Shannon, a mathematical researcher at Bell Labs, introduce in the in-house journal called "A Mathematical Theory of Communication"?

2. All known alphabets are based on the original alphabet that emerged about 1500 B.C. in what area?

3. What culture was the first to use a written language?

4. How did sub-Saharan African tribes communicate over long distances?

5. Where was knowledge stored prior to the written word?

(see the answer key)

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