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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 two words did the author use to describe the Minor family's beliefs?
(a) "Highly cynical."
(b) "Lightly sarcastic."
(c) "Muscularly evangelical."
(d) "Founderingly heavy."

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

3. How many years did it take to complete the Oxford English Dictionary?
(a) Twenty.
(b) Seventy.
(c) Forty.
(d) Sixty.

4. With whom was William to live upon arriving in the United States?
(a) His Aunt.
(b) His uncle.
(c) Missionaries.
(d) His cousin.

5. On what holiday did Dr. Minor arrive in London in the opening of Chapter 4, Gathering Earth's Daughters?
(a) Fourth of July.
(b) Guy Fawkes Day.
(c) Christmas.
(d) Easter.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what area of New London does the story open?

2. How many children did the Merretts have?

3. Who arrested Merrett's killer?

4. Who was the most famous editor of the Old English Dictionary?

5. Who wrote A Dictionary of the English Language?

Short Essay Questions

1. What might the audience find unique about the killer's professional past?

2. Why does the author suggest Oxford finally conceded to the switch from Furnivall to Murray for the position of editor?

3. The author says that Minor became unworried by his "lascivious thoughts" while at Yale. What is a possible explanation for this?

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

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

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

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

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

10. How did Minor's branding of a deserting Irish soldier become connected to his excessive guilt about his own perceived "wrongs"?

(see the answer keys)

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