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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. England's power grew, and it felt embarrassed for not studying its language. Why did citizens want a proper dictionary?

2. How many years later did the second edition of the Oxford English Dictionary come out after the original?

3. What did the killer do immediately upon being arrested by police?

4. When was Minor born?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

4. 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?

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

6. Some critics say that Samuel Johnson put too much of his personality into his work on his dictionary. How would it be possible to avoid this type of criticism?

7. In what way was Furnivall's call to ask participants to choose a time period for the book a very intelligent idea to spur the makings of the Oxford English Dictionary onward?

8. What is significant about the making of the Oxford English Dictionary's beginnings to have begun on Guy Fawkes Day in England?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think The Oxford English Dictionary represents to the author? Illustrate your answer with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

What is significant about the fact that the text has two protagonists, Minor and Murray, and that the author himself points out that this goes against the definition of the word in "Modern English Usage," which states that protagonist can only be used in the singular?

Essay Topic 3

Much of Chapter 3, The Madness of War, is taken up with Charles Minor's exploits around and during wartime. From this chapter, how do you think the author feels about war? Give examples to back up your answer.

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