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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. How did the author describe the man who chased George Merrett on the night of his death?
(a) He wore a black mask and was carrying a gun.
(b) He wore a black mask and was carrying a blade.
(c) He wore a black cloak and was carrying a blade.
(d) He wore a black jacket and was carrying a gun,

2. Trench argued that dictionaries should be histories of the life span of every word and that these lives should be ______.
(a) Given.
(b) Charted.
(c) Explained.
(d) Ended.

3. How long after the Minors settled in Ceylon was William Minor born?
(a) One year.
(b) Five weeks.
(c) Three months.
(d) Two years.

4. How did the audience react to the fact that hundreds of amateurs would be needed to take on such a project for a new dictionary?
(a) With shock.
(b) With sadness.
(c) With revolt.
(d) With happiness.

5. Who was the most famous editor of the Old English Dictionary?
(a) Dr. Sweet.
(b) James Murray.
(c) Dr. Minor.
(d) Frederick Furnivall.

Short Answer Questions

1. Lucy was born to the Minors __________after William's birth.

2. At what time where the three shots fired in the opening of the book?

3. In what area of Ceylon did the Minors set up their residence in 1834?

4. Merrett's killer was from ______________.

5. What was the overall effect of the large amount of word donors on Furnivall and his dictionary volunteers?

(see the answer key)

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