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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 5 Where Words Come From.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The author discusses the elements that English lacks but that ______________________________.
(a) Other languages have
(b) Could stand improvement
(c) Really don't make a difference
(d) Make it a superior language regardless

2. The author tends to think that English is special because of ___________________________.
(a) its flexibility of use
(b) its verb use
(c) its inherent ease of learning
(d) its lyrical sound

3. What did Sir William Jones recognize?
(a) The rhythm of the Romance languages
(b) The adaptability of the English language
(c) The verb tenses of European languages
(d) Similarities between Sanskrit and languages of Europe

4. What is often cited as an equalizing force in English?
(a) Sentence structure
(b) Latin derivatives
(c) The lack of grammatical gender
(d) Tenses

5. Who is Noam Chomsky?
(a) A French archaeologist
(b) A Russian writer
(c) A British psychologist
(d) An American linguist

Short Answer Questions

1. How do some linguists think that children learn their languages?

2. The author finds that many languages _________________________.

3. During Norman rule, which words are appropriate for the upper class to use?

4. Which words are appropriate for the common people to use?

5. Who invades England in 1066?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 202 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample