View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why didn't Minor attend the great dictionary dinner?
(a) He did not want to mix with underlings.
(b) He had been arrested.
(c) It was unclear.
(d) He was sick.

2. How long did each book of the dictionary take Minor to complete?
(a) Five months.
(b) Two years.
(c) Three months.
(d) One year.

3. Who created the fictitious meeting of Murray and Minor?
(a) Minor.
(b) The son of Murray.
(c) A journalist.
(d) Murray.

4. What word does the author give as an example to show Minor's love for accuracy and detail?
(a) Philanderer.
(b) Vivacity.
(c) Buffoon.
(d) Lovely.

5. Minor saw his castration as a ________________ act.
(a) Natural and timely.
(b) Funny and impulsive.
(c) Impulsive and stupid.
(d) Religious and redemptive.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the author, the subgroups in the Oxford English Dictionary had to be ______ organized.

2. How old was Broadmoor when Minor first arrived?

3. From what country were the two men who did not attend the great dictionary dinner?

4. How did the author describe the words that Minor used in his first book?

5. When was the publishing of the first installment of the Oxford English Dictionary?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was revealed about Minor's character in regards to his response to Murray's letter for help on the Oxford English Dictionary?

2. What effect did Murray and his workers' reliance on Minor's letters and help have on Minor?

3. What does Murray's Scriptorium represent to present day scholars of the English language?

4. Describe how Minor may have felt when he entered the property at the Broadmoor Asylum.

5. What was one of the greatest mistakes Murray made upon arriving at Broadmoor and speaking to the superintendent?

6. Why do you think Murray so grossly underestimated the amount of time it would take to finish the Oxford English Dictionary after the first publication of the first book?

7. Do you think it is the author's opinion that electroshock therapy affected Minor?

8. Was it good that Minor began to view the asylum as his home?

9. The author only briefly mentions Dr. Hall's absence from the dinner. Why is this significant in relation to his opinion of Minor?

10. What was miraculous about Mrs. Merrett deciding to see Minor at Broadmoor?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 823 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample