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

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

3. What is the result of the shift mentioned in #150?

4. Other than America and England, what country speaks English primarily?

5. What do the British borrow from American English?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Name some less common word games.

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

5. Describe the evolution of swear words.

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

7. In addition to English, what other languages have been proposed as international languages?

8. Explain the almost futile attempts to produce current English language dictionaries.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the series of attacks by other nations on Great Britain. Which groups attacked and what influences did they have on England, and ultimately, the English language?

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

Explain the challenges of publishing a dictionary. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages to hard copy and digital versions. Can you offer any alternative solutions?

(see the answer keys)

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