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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 Chapter 5, what was the name of Mr. Trench's speech in regards to the making of the Oxford English Dictionary?
(a) "On the Call for a New Dictionary."
(b) "On Some Deficiencies in Our English Dictionaries."
(c) "On the Deficiency of Our New Dictionaries of the Era."
(d) "On the Need for a New English Dictionary."

2. At what time where the three shots fired in the opening of the book?
(a) 5 a.m.
(b) 2 a.m.
(c) Midnight.
(d) 1 a.m.

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

4. When are the first Latin dictionaries noted to have been in existence?
(a) 1232.
(b) 1321.
(c) 1273.
(d) 1225.

5. How have many described the language of the Oxford English Dictionary?
(a) Basic.
(b) Easy.
(c) Arrogant.
(d) Complicated.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what year did Dr. Minor arrive in London?

2. Who would publish the first Oxford English Dictionary?

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

4. What were Merrett's killer's two former professional positions?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What effect could the tragic death of his daughter have had on Murray's diligence in working on the Oxford English Dictionary?

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

3. What does the title of the book imply to prospective readers?

4. What reason(s) does the author give for Minor's parents sending him to the US to live with his uncle?

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

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. 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?

8. What seemed uncanny about the killer's cool, calm demeanor?

9. 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?

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

(see the answer keys)

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