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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What profession encourages expressions that make numbers and letters clearer when communicating by radio?
(a) Cab drivers
(b) Ship captains
(c) Pilots
(d) Football coaches

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

3. Regional trends have common accent features but no speakers who _________________________________.
(a) can be emulated
(b) can teach proper English
(c) can emulate someone else
(d) all speak in exactly the same way

4. Who lost control of the United Kingdom under Roman occupation?
(a) Germanic tribes
(b) The Vikings
(c) The royal family
(d) Celtic tribes

5. The author states that there are characteristics in the English language that ______________________________.
(a) are fundamental
(b) are intuitive
(c) are lacking in other languages
(d) are easy to learn

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the author what is the most striking example of a word with multiple meanings?

2. What is often cited as an equalizing force in English?

3. The English language has _____________________________.

4. What does the English language's large vocabulary mean to users?

5. What is DARE?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author account for the changing pronunciation of English over time?

2. What seems to be a long-term benefit of a phonetic system as opposed to a pictograph system?

3. What is the result of attempting to draw demarcations of accents throughout the U.S.?

4. What is Noam Chomsky's position on how children learn language?

5. How did the English language evolve in the British Isles or what is now known as the United Kingdom?

6. What does the author say is the reason some English words are created?

7. What is the frustration of attempting to organize information about English in North America?

8. Why is learning the English language considered a large industry in the world?

9. What two religious scholars are responsible for documenting language in England?

10. What is a third method of explaining where words come from?

(see the answer keys)

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