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

2. Translations between English and ______________ are particularly difficult.
(a) Japanese
(b) German
(c) Italian
(d) Chinese

3. Why can translations between countries be considered difficult?
(a) Adults are too hard to train in a new language
(b) People are basically too lazy to learn something new
(c) Countries do not teach children who are more amenable to new language
(d) People are conditioned to communicate within their specific culture.

4. The English language is left to ___________ and public figures.
(a) entertainment
(b) academic
(c) scientific
(d) anthropologists

5. What has been added to the British vocabulary in spite of academic protests?
(a) Abbreviations
(b) American words
(c) Slang terms
(d) Colloquialisms

Short Answer Questions

1. From whom did North American settlers borrow words?

2. English is a language of constant ___________________.

3. Who wrote the longest-standing example of an English dictionary?

4. What else is difficult to determine about the English language?

5. Which speakers are becoming a minority of single-language users around the world?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Explain any efforts to regulate the English language.

3. What is the origin of the crossword puzzle?

4. What does the author state as one of the oldest English language dictionaries?

5. Name some less common word games.

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

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

8. What is the challenge of determining the actual number of words in the English language?

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

10. What has been the naming process for places in England and America?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 905 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample