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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 1915, which newspaper did the editor of the Oxford English Dictionary write to and complain about the story of Murray meeting Minor in the asylum?
(a) The London Times.
(b) The Argus.
(c) The Sun.
(d) The Daily Telegraph.

2. How did the author describe Murray's instructions in the beginning of Chapter 7, Entering the Lists?
(a) Confusing.
(b) Detailed.
(c) Bossy.
(d) Simple.

3. Whom does the author conjecture may have pushed Minor towards Deism?
(a) Alfred.
(b) Huxley.
(c) Murray.
(d) Merrett.

4. On what day of the week in November did Murray decide to travel and meet Minor?
(a) Saturday.
(b) Sunday.
(c) Wednesday.
(d) Thursday.

5. In what year was Minor given electroshock therapy at Broadmoor?
(a) 1847.
(b) 1875.
(c) 1864.
(d) 1878.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many more years after the publishing of the first installment would it actually take for Murray to finish the Oxford English Dictionary?

2. The word which troubled Murray and was sent to Minor had _______________ "shades of meaning."

3. What word did Huxley coin?

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

5. When was the great dictionary dinner held?

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. The author compares Murray to a general on a battlefield. Why?

3. In what ways could Murray be seen as a voice of reason and motivation for Minor to stay on task to the Oxford English Dictionary?

4. What is relevant about the fact that Minor was a fan of Huxley, particularly his idea of agnosticism?

5. In Chapter 6, what do the author's previously established characteristics of Minor suggest about how he may have gotten along with the parole patients in Block 2?

6. How did Minor come to be able to return to the United States at the end of his life? What obstacles did he face along the way?

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

8. 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?

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

10. Why could Minor more easily understand Murray's directions in comparison to others?

(see the answer keys)

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