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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. Historians show real _______________ by piecing together a record of the human community without definitive proof.

2. What is one of the organizations that has failed as a grammar regulatory force?

3. According to the author what will happen when English comes into its own as a modern language of international importance?

4. American names adapt and change to suit _______________________ pronunciation and spelling patterns.

5. Chapter 15 addresses the history of what?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What is the origin of the crossword puzzle?

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

8. What is the basis for the argument of making English an international language?

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

10. What is the author's opinion on who actually controls the English language?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Regions of America become well known for their speech and language quirks. For example, the people in Baltimore, Maryland, are famous for slurring their speech. Name at least three other examples of geographically distinct language stylings.

Essay Topic 2

Explain noted linguist Noam Chomsky's argument that children have inherent "ground rules" that help them learn their language. What other theories exist to explain how children learn to speak?

Essay Topic 3

Who was Samuel Johnson? What was his role in the development of the English language? What impact did his work have? Is his work still relevant today?

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