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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What word is defined in the opening of the book?
(a) Love.
(b) Word.
(c) Kill.
(d) Murder.

2. Lucy was born to the Minors __________after William's birth.
(a) Three years.
(b) Six years.
(c) One year.
(d) Two years.

3. What were Merrett's killer's two former professional positions?
(a) Professor and army officer.
(b) Qualified surgeon and police officer..
(c) Army officer and qualified surgeon.
(d) Police officer and professor.

4. In what city was Murray born?
(a) Hawick.
(b) Derry.
(c) Lovely.
(d) Yorkshire.

5. What climate is the island of Ceylon?
(a) Tropical.
(b) Snowy.
(c) Koppen.
(d) Desert.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Mr. Trench argue about the major dictionaries available at the time?

2. What was the name of Eastman Minor's second wife?

3. At what age was William sent to the United States?

4. Where did Richard Chenevix Trench speak?

5. Where did the making of the Oxford English Dictionary begin?

Short Essay Questions

1. Some critics say that Samuel Johnson put too much of his personality into his work on his dictionary. How would it be possible to avoid this type of criticism?

2. What aspects of his upbringing could have contributed to Minor's issues with the tempestuous and tempting country of Ceylon?

3. What can be appreciated about the Oxford English Dictionary being called "The Big Dictionary"?

4. Did the "Battle of the Wilderness" push Minor past his mental capacities to function normally in social settings or public? If so, how does the author make this clear?

5. How might the fact that the killer was of a learned professional background NOT have been surprising to readers?

6. Why does the author take time to note the sheer volume of words and weight of the Oxford English Dictionary? What parallels can be drawn between this and the dictionary's makers?

7. What is significant about the making of the Oxford English Dictionary's beginnings to have begun on Guy Fawkes Day in England?

8. In what way was Trench's appeal to the masses who would be needed to help compile the Oxford English Dictionary democratic?

9. Why might Minor's father have fallen so easily in love with Judith?

10. Why does the author suggest that Minor moved from his initial area of residence in London, St James Square, to Lambeth Marsh?

(see the answer keys)

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