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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. How many slips of paper came in from volunteers who wanted to add to the newly proposed dictionary?

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

3. The Minor family came to the United States only a decade after what group of people?

4. Merrett's killer was from ______________.

5. In Chapter 2, The Man Who Taught Latin to Cattle, who is introduced as the first protagonist?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What aspects of his upbringing could have contributed to Minor's issues with the tempestuous and tempting country of Ceylon?

4. What can be appreciated about the Oxford English Dictionary being called "The Big Dictionary"?

5. 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?

6. What can be surmised about the author's intention by naming his first chapter, " The Dead of Night in Lambeth Marsh"?

7. 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?

8. In regards to Trench's speech, what did he view each word as having? What must be charted for each word?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dramatic irony is in many ways a key element of the events of the text. Discuss with examples.

Essay Topic 2

Redemption and the overcoming of personal and professional obstacles are central to the text. Discuss.

Essay Topic 3

The author opens the book with the dictionary entry for the word "murder." Discuss the reasons why he might have done this with reference to the people mentioned in the book, the book's central subject of The Oxford English Dictionary, and the author's own interests.

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This section contains 1,049 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample