English Language Quiz

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How many words are there in the English language?
1. More than a million
2. More than half a million
3. More than five million
4. Less than three hundred thousand
Which of these sentences is most true?
1. We know there are more words in English than in any other language.
2. We know there are more words in English than any other language.
3. We think there are probably more words in English than any other language.
4. We think there are probably more words in English than any other European language.
Which of these sentences is not true?
1. English imports words from other languages.
2. The English Academy often refuses to accept foreign words.
3. English grammar is fairly easy.
4. English syntax is fairly easy.
According to Stephen Pinker, most English adults have a passive vocabulary of how many words?
1. Less than 10,000
2. Between 20,000 and 50,000
3. Less than 140,000
4. More than 50,000
What is our active vocabulary?
1. The words we use.
2. The words we understand but don't use.
3. The words we don't understand.
4. The words that describe what we do.
Why was Shakespeare important in the development of the English language?
1. Because he wrote great plays.
2. Because he wrote great poetry.
3. Because he expanded vocabulary.
4. Because he introduced new grammar.
In the novel 1984, the government introduces a new language called Newspeak. Why do they do this?
1. To increase social control
2. To improve examination results
3. To make it easier to learn a language
4. To expand the vocabulary of the average person
How many people speak Esperanto as a first language?
1. More than one million
2. More than one billion
3. 2.5 million
4. Less than 1,000
Which of these does Esperanto not have?
1. Simple grammar
2. Simple vocabulary
3. Regular verbs
4. Irregular verbs
Which describes someone competent in a language?
1. Verbose
2. Floral
3. Fluent
4. Articulate