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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does the author think it is difficult to trace the history of language using only written records?
(a) Much is not accounted for if spoken language is not accounted for
(b) Meanings can be lost in translation
(c) Historians are prone to making errors
(d) Documents can be lost or altered

2. What occurs when English speaking world leaders are forced to rely on translators?
(a) Errors in translation
(b) Decisions are postponed
(c) Gross misunderstandings
(d) Lag in translation

3. What is the mission of the English-only movement in the U.S.?
(a) Make English the official language
(b) Find funding to teach English in third world nations
(c) Finance its own dictionary
(d) Find funding for the study of the English language

4. According to the author, what do most academies hand down about English grammar?
(a) Illogical rules
(b) Important guidelines
(c) Repeated mistakes
(d) A sense of history

5. English is changed through _____________________.
(a) academic experts
(b) university committees
(c) global technology
(d) social channels

6. Many words that were once considered taboo are now considered to be ______________________.
(a) quite innocent
(b) slightly offensive
(c) inappropriate
(d) vulgar

7. Why does the author feel it is difficult to trace the history of swearing?
(a) Swear words are primarily spoken, not written down
(b) People don't want their children exposed to it
(c) Countries do not want to be known for swearing
(d) People are reluctant to talk about their swear words

8. Which of the following languages has not been proposed as an international language?
(a) Volapuk
(b) Chinese
(c) Seaspeak
(d) Esperanto

9. When did the English language go through many changes?
(a) When it moved to North America
(b) During the American Revolution
(c) After Viking invasions of England
(d) After the Bubonic Plague ravaged Europe

10. What is another area of concern regarding the state of the English language?
(a) The lack of adoption globally
(b) The lack of education resources
(c) The decline of proper English
(d) The fragmenting of different forms of English

11. Which country is used as an example of the difficulties of international communication?
(a) Canada
(b) Russia
(c) Japan
(d) Germany

12. From what context do many swear words come?
(a) Age
(b) Demographic
(c) Religious
(d) Physical

13. What element guides generational language?
(a) Pop culture
(b) Superiority
(c) Regionalism
(d) Colloquialisms

14. Like other words, swear words ____________________________.
(a) have different meanings to different people
(b) are not appropriate for all ages
(c) are not appropriate for all regions
(d) have adapted over time

15. Why is it nearly impossible for a dictionary to keep pace with the English language?
(a) It is not printed often enough
(b) Slang words drop out of use
(c) It grows at such a fast pace
(d) Regional words are always changing

Short Answer Questions

1. What can be misused even by experts on the topic?

2. What type of names go through an adaptive period to reach worldwide markets?

3. The author discusses the process of development of the British _____________ from the Middle Ages to the present.

4. What is another major language issue in North America?

5. From whom did North American settlers borrow words?

(see the answer keys)

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