View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Other than America and England, what country speaks English primarily?
(a) Finland
(b) Ireland
(c) Australia
(d) Wales

3. English is the language of _____________________.
(a) civility
(b) diplomacy
(c) love
(d) the people who speak it

4. According to the author what will happen when English comes into its own as a modern language of international importance?
(a) There will be fewer rules imposed
(b) Communication will break down
(c) The language will run amuck
(d) Regionalism will take over

5. What is the result of the shift mentioned in #150?
(a) New words have to be invented
(b) The words are dropped from everyday use
(c) Modern names look or are spelled in contrast to original meanings
(d) The dictionary cannot keep up with the changes

Short Answer Questions

1. Why are the speakers in #140 becoming a minority?

2. What is the dictionary that follows Webster's forty years later?

3. What is the mission of the English-only movement in the U.S.?

4. Original names from _______________ or Native American times have slowly shifted in spelling and pronunciation.

5. Why is it nearly impossible for a dictionary to keep pace with the English language?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the evolution of swear words.

2. What English language issue does the author consider to be ironic?

3. Why are translations between English and Japanese especially difficult?

4. What happens to the use of swear words as society becomes more cognizant of propriety?

5. What is the author's final position on the future of the English language?

6. What impact has American English had on the British vocabulary?

7. What were some of the transitions of the English language as it migrated to North America?

8. Explain the almost futile attempts to produce current English language dictionaries.

9. What is the background of Webster's Dictionary and the Oxford English Dictionary?

10. Explain the role of immigrants to North America on the evolution of the English language.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 995 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample