The Screwed up History of English Spelling

Where was the spelling bee invented?

• United States

• United Kingdom

• Australia

• Canada

Why are spelling bees less common in languages other than English?

• Because English spelling is unpredictable

• Because other languages are easier

• Because other languages don't have competitions

• Because English is spoken by more people

What alphabet did Latin missionaries replace in England?

• Futhorc

• Cyrillic

• Phoenician

• Greek

Who invaded England in 1066, influencing the English language?

• Romans

• Vikings

• William the Conqueror

• Julius Caesar

What was one of the reasons English spelling became complicated?

• The great vowel shift

• The invention of the computer

• The decline of the British Empire

• The introduction of the internet

What invention in the 15th century affected English spelling?

• The compass

• The steam engine

• The printing press

• The telescope

Which of these words is an example of a 'inkhorn word'?

• Chronicle

• Cat

• House

• Tree

What was a major reason for the complexity of English spelling?

• Lack of a standard dictionary

• Poor communication

• Lack of education

• Influence of multiple languages

Who made efforts to modernize English spelling in the 1800s?

• Charles Dickens

• Benjamin Franklin

• Noah Webster

• William Shakespeare

What is a characteristic feature of English spelling?

• Phonetic consistency

• Simple pronunciation rules

• Absence of silent letters

• Presence of many exceptions to rules