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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Many words that were once considered taboo are now considered to be ______________________.
(a) quite innocent
(b) vulgar
(c) slightly offensive
(d) inappropriate

2. How many words did Noah Webster's dictionary contain to surpass the one mentioned in #113?
(a) 70,000
(b) 5,500
(c) 37,000
(d) 520,000

3. According to the author what will happen when English comes into its own as a modern language of international importance?
(a) Communication will break down
(b) There will be fewer rules imposed
(c) The language will run amuck
(d) Regionalism will take over

4. Which of the following languages has not been proposed as an international language?
(a) Chinese
(b) Volapuk
(c) Seaspeak
(d) Esperanto

5. American names adapt and change to suit _______________________ pronunciation and spelling patterns.
(a) Spanish
(b) Celtic
(c) British
(d) American

Short Answer Questions

1. Other than America and England, what country speaks English primarily?

2. English cannot be confined to arbitrary rules or ____________________.

3. What is another area of concern regarding the state of the English language?

4. What is the second word game described by the author in Chapter 15?

5. What is one of the organizations that has failed as a grammar regulatory force?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the almost futile attempts to produce current English language dictionaries.

2. How is the pronunciation of place names indicative of how English speakers have changed over time?

3. In addition to English, what other languages have been proposed as international languages?

4. What English language issue does the author consider to be ironic?

5. Describe the evolution of swear words.

6. Name some less common word games.

7. What is the challenge of determining the actual number of words in the English language?

8. How does the author explain the development of British and American surnames?

9. What were some of the transitions of the English language as it migrated to North America?

10. What is the source of many swear words throughout history?

(see the answer keys)

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