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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. In what area of New London does the story open?
(a) West Chester.
(b) Lambert Marsh.
(c) Hampshire.
(d) Derry.

3. How did people contact the Philological Society in order to submit new words to the new dictionary?
(a) By telephone.
(b) In person at the library.
(c) By telegraph.
(d) By letter.

4. When was Murray born?
(a) January, 1832.
(b) April, 1823.
(c) December, 1842.
(d) February, 1837.

5. Who produced a circular calling for volunteers who could choose a period of history in which they would like to read books?
(a) Furnivall.
(b) Murray.
(c) Trench.
(d) Minor.

6. How many years from Trench's speech about a new dictionary did the project actually get off the ground?
(a) Twenty-two years.
(b) Eighteen years.
(c) Sixteen years.
(d) Twelve years.

7. Who heard the three shots fired in the beginning of the book?
(a) William Ward.
(b) Henry Tarrant.
(c) Henry Burton.
(d) Eliza Ward.

8. Who arrested Merrett's killer?
(a) Constable Tarrant.
(b) Officer Burton.
(c) William Ward.
(d) Henry Burton.

9. Where was Dr. Minor's house located in London?
(a) Shacklewell.
(b) Newington.
(c) Paddington.
(d) St. James Square.

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

11. On what notable holiday did the making of the Oxford English Dictionary begin?
(a) The Queen's Birthday.
(b) Christmas Day.
(c) Guy Fawke's Day.
(d) May Day.

12. Where were George Merrett and his wife originally from?
(a) Gloucestershire.
(b) Hampshire.
(c) Lambeth.
(d) Derry.

13. The Minor family came to the United States only a decade after what group of people?
(a) Spanish Conquistadors.
(b) The Pilgrims.
(c) King Louis XII's missionaries.
(d) Native Americans.

14. In what century did demand for dictionaries increase?
(a) The 16th.
(b) The 15th.
(c) The 17th.
(d) The 14th.

15. When was Minor born?
(a) March, 1831.
(b) June, 1834.
(c) May, 1832.
(d) January, 1842.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Who killed Merrett?

3. According to the author, who is the "second" protagonist of the story?

4. In what year did the making of the Oxford English Dictionary begin?

5. What kind of Christianity did the Murray family follow?

(see the answer keys)

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