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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who arrested Merrett's killer?
(a) Henry Burton.
(b) Officer Burton.
(c) Constable Tarrant.
(d) William Ward.

2. At what age was William sent to the United States?
(a) Nine.
(b) Fourteen.
(c) Twelve.
(d) Twenty-two.

3. How did the author describe the man who chased George Merrett on the night of his death?
(a) He wore a black mask and was carrying a blade.
(b) He wore a black mask and was carrying a gun.
(c) He wore a black cloak and was carrying a blade.
(d) He wore a black jacket and was carrying a gun,

4. When are the first Latin dictionaries noted to have been in existence?
(a) 1232.
(b) 1273.
(c) 1225.
(d) 1321.

5. Where did the making of the Oxford English Dictionary begin?
(a) Under the London Bridge,
(b) Under the Big Ben Clock.
(c) The London Library.
(d) Buckingham Palace.

6. According to the author, who is the "second" protagonist of the story?
(a) Dr. Henry Sweet.
(b) James Augustus Henry Murray.
(c) Dr. Minor.
(d) Mrs. Elsa.

7. Where was Minor born?
(a) Sri Lanka.
(b) Bristol.
(c) London.
(d) New Hampshire.

8. What central figure in the story happened across Murray's appeal to the English people in regards to the Oxford English Dictionary?
(a) Mr. Trench.
(b) Dr. William Minor.
(c) Nakiesha Wilson.
(d) James Koss.

9. In what year did Dr. Minor arrive in London?
(a) 1832.
(b) 1864.
(c) 1831.
(d) 1857.

10. How have many described the language of the Oxford English Dictionary?
(a) Easy.
(b) Basic.
(c) Complicated.
(d) Arrogant.

11. When does this story take place?
(a) Late 19th century.
(b) Late 18th century.
(c) Early 19th century.
(d) Mid 19th century.

12. Who produced a circular calling for volunteers who could choose a period of history in which they would like to read books?
(a) Murray.
(b) Furnivall.
(c) Trench.
(d) Minor.

13. For what purpose was Murray asked to go to Oxford?
(a) To speak with the residents of Oxford.
(b) To speak to the Oxford Publishing delegates.
(c) To speak with the dean of Oxford University.
(d) To speak with the president of Oxford University.

14. Which of the following is noted to have been a fact four hundred years earlier than Mr. Trench's speeches?
(a) The word "dictionary" did not exist.
(b) There was no English dictionary in existence.
(c) The first English dictionary was published.
(d) People rarely used dictionaries.

15. Who would publish the first Oxford English Dictionary?
(a) Harper and Row.
(b) Oxford University Press.
(c) Academic Press.
(d) Penguin Books.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Murray spend most of his childhood?

2. What two words did the author use to describe the Minor family's beliefs?

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

4. What was the nickname of the Oxford English Dictionary?

5. How many men authored A Dictionary of the English Language?

(see the answer keys)

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