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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. From what industries do new words in American and Britain come?
(a) Entertainment and technology
(b) Sociology and technology
(c) Entertainment and finance
(d) Entertainment and academia

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

3. Original names from _______________ or Native American times have slowly shifted in spelling and pronunciation.
(a) British
(b) Spanish
(c) Celtic
(d) Latin

4. In what year is the dictionary mentioned in #113 printed?
(a) 1776
(b) 1563
(c) 1755
(d) 1492

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is the second word game described by the author in Chapter 15?

3. What does the author consider to be unreliable in monitoring English word usage?

4. What shows up in versions of early dictionaries?

5. Which of the following languages has not been proposed as an international language?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. To what does the author attribute the misuse of English grammar?

3. What considerations must businesses take into account when naming companies to go to market internationally?

4. What is the source of many swear words throughout history?

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

6. Explain any efforts to regulate the English language.

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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