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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 5, The Big Dictionary Conceived.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The Oxford Dictionary was comprised of _____________volumes.
(a) Twelve.
(b) Six.
(c) Nine.
(d) Eight.

2. What two words does the author use to describe the Lambeth area, particularly in relation to the undrained marsh?
(a) Sadly hopeless.
(b) Utterly hopeless.
(c) Positively vile.
(d) Greatly disgusting.

3. In Chapter 2, The Man Who Taught Latin to Cattle, who is introduced as the first protagonist?
(a) Dr. Murray.
(b) Mrs. Scott.
(c) Dr. Minor.
(d) Mr. Merrett.

4. When was Murray invited to Oxford?
(a) April 26th, 1878.
(b) May 8th, 1878.
(c) April 21st, 1976.
(d) May 8th, 1876.

5. What did Merrett's killer claim about the murder?
(a) It was in self defense.
(b) He had been waiting to do that for some time.
(c) He was too drunk to know what was happening.
(d) It was easy.

Short Answer Questions

1. What climate is the island of Ceylon?

2. How did people contact the Philological Society in order to submit new words to the new dictionary?

3. In what year was the Oxford English Dictionary completed?

4. How does the author describe the words in the early English dictionaries in Chapter 4, Gathering Earth's Daughters?

5. Why did the demand for dictionaries increase according to the author in Chapter 4?

(see the answer key)

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