Word Meaning in the Preface to A Dictionary of the English Language — Quiz
Question 34 • 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
clarifies words’ pronunciations.
B
questions words’ literary importance.
C
offers criticism of words’ common usages.
D
explains words’ origins and variations.
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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