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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. For each book, what did Minor write?

2. When was the great dictionary dinner held?

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

4. What was Huxley involved in professionally?

5. What were Murray's original religious views?

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

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

4. 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?

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

6. What does the author give as the chief purpose behind Minor's self-mutilation? Was it achieved?

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

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

9. The author only briefly mentions Dr. Hall's absence from the dinner. Why is this significant in relation to his opinion of Minor?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the ways in which self-delusion is important to the events in the text. Make reference to Minor as well as at least one other figure.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the links the author draws between various vices such as sex, drugs, and alcohol and their influence on the events of the story.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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