View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Murray threaten to do at various times due to the Delegates' interferences, slow pace, and his suffering health?

2. How did the author describe Murray's instructions in the beginning of Chapter 7, Entering the Lists?

3. Which word did Murray have so much trouble with that it had to be sent to Dr. Minor?

4. According to the author, after organizing a quote what kind of a definition did Murray have to write?

5. Apart from Minor, who struggled to follow the directions they were given?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

3. 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?

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

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

6. Explain the significance of Minor's submissions evolving from one slip of paper to large paper bags arriving in Murray's office.

7. What showed the great essence of teamwork between Murray and Minor?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Despite the fact that this a work of non-fiction, there are elements of foreshadowing in the way the author tells the story. Explain how this occurs and discuss their effect.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

What narrative devices does the author employ in painting a vivid picture of life in 19th and early 20th Century England?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 934 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample