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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. Murray wanted as many ______ as he could get for the words to capture subtle variations in them.

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

3. What was Minor's most well known artistic inclination?

4. Why did many people write from abroad regarding Minor?

5. How many pages did "A" have in the first published installment?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. 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?

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

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

5. It is suggested that Murray's letter to Minor was a token of forgiveness. Why?

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

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

8. Why is it important, in relation to Minor's past, that the author states that people admired Minor for his meticulous work?

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Structure is equally important to non-fictional works as it is to fictional works." Explore this idea with reference to the text.

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Explore the ways in which religious faith plays an important role in the production of The Oxford English Dictionary, with particular reference to Charles Minor and James Murray.

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This section contains 843 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample