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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who establishes a large presence in Northern England in the year 850?

2. Who tends to invent new words in the present day?

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

4. What is DARE?

5. Physical communication strategies include proximity between speakers, hand gestures and ______________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What event prompted the usage of standardized spelling in England?

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

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

4. What measures can people take when exact pronunciations are critical?

5. Explain the impact that slurring of speech has on English pronunciation?

6. What is another method of explaining where words come from?

7. Finally, what is the fourth method of explaining where words come from?

8. How was the Cro-Magnon man able to supersede the Neanderthal man in human development?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the major issues that Bryson emphasizes throughout the book is that no higher authority controls the English language. Imagine that you could invent such an authoritative organization and outline its mission statement as well as its strategic and tactical plans.

Essay Topic 2

What is the situation when more than one language exists within a country? Explain the challenges of living in and governing such situations.

Essay Topic 3

What was the impact of American immigrants to the English language? Take into account surnames, place names, and words assimilated into the American lexicography.

(see the answer keys)

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