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

2. Who took over Furnivall's place as editor of the Oxford English Dictionary?
(a) Dixon.
(b) Trench.
(c) Scott.
(d) Murray.

3. In what year did the making of the Oxford English Dictionary begin?
(a) 1847.
(b) 1856.
(c) 1853.
(d) 1857.

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

5. Why did the demand for dictionaries increase according to the author in Chapter 4?
(a) People wanted to learn about more difficult words.
(b) The language changed markedly.
(c) Many of the original dictionaries were burned.
(d) More immigrants came to England.

Short Answer Questions

1. From what disease did William's mother die?

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

3. When does this story take place?

4. Many critics find the Oxford English Dictionary to be ______________.

5. Where were George Merrett and his wife originally from?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to the author, "The quotes would show how words had been used over centuries and explained when they had changed. The project was commissioned in the 1850s but was not profitable, yet many believe the OED is valuable far beyond its price." Why might people believe it is valuable far beyond its price?

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

3. In what ways does the author state the compilation of the Dictionary of the English Language was different from the compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary?

4. What aspects of the Latin-English dictionaries provided impetus for the makers of the Oxford English Dictionary to make their own English dictionary?

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

6. Why might the author have defined the word "protagonist" in such depth?

7. Many critics found the Oxford English Dictionary to be racist and sexist. Explain how the author suggests this may have happened.

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

9. For what reasons did Minor become the most famous contributor to the Oxford English Dictionary?

10. What can be surmised about the author's intention by naming his first chapter, " The Dead of Night in Lambeth Marsh"?

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