Word Meaning in the Preface to A Dictionary of the English Language — Quiz
Question 26 • English Language Arts 12
Read the excerpt from Samuel Johnson’s preface to A Dictionary of the English Language . The two languages from which our primitives have been derived are the Roman and Teutonick: under the Roman I comprehend the French and provincial tongues; and under the Teutonick range the Saxon, German, and all their kindred dialects. The underlined word emerges as a key term in Johnson’s preface because it
Answer
A
explains words’ origins and variations.
B
offers criticism of words’ common usages.
C
clarifies words’ pronunciations.
D
questions words’ literary importance.
Explanation
Johnson identifies Roman and Teutonic languages as the sources from which English words (“primitives”) are derived, then names languages and dialects within those groups. This makes the key term important because it explains words’ origins and variations. The excerpt does not focus on pronunciation, common usage, or literary importance.
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