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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. What system allows English speakers to communicate efficiently in writing?

2. What did Sir William Jones recognize?

3. What can make learning English unnecessarily difficult?

4. In addition to linguistic differences in languages, there are also ________________________.

5. What allows a speaker to express class status?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how the language of one people can can change over time.

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

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

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

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

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

7. What is the proof of the power of the English language in the modern world?

8. Explain the theories that languages are based in sound.

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

10. Explain the impact of the Viking invasion of England?

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

Explain the role of censorship in America today. What are U.S. citizens' rights under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?

Essay Topic 3

What are the benefits that the English language offers its users? Take into account its significantly larger vocabulary and grammar complexities.

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