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

2. Which two languages have found some purpose in international communications?

3. Why does the author think it is difficult to trace the history of language using only written records?

4. English is the language of _____________________.

5. In what countries is English studied?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. One of the most interesting words created in North America was "O.K." What is the background behind this new word?

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

6. What is the author's position on many spelling and grammar rules?

7. How does the author explain the development of British and American surnames?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the differences between pictographic languages and phonetic languages and give examples of each.

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

Building on language foundations, human speech spread throughout the world. Explain some of the commonalities and distinctions that mark the evolution of the English language.

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