Short Questions with Answers
1. When did Middle English start?
Answer : Middle English started around AD 1150.
2. When did the Middle English period end?
Answer : The Middle English period ended in AD 1500.
3. Who set up the first printing press in England?
Answer : William Caxton set up the first printing press in England.
4. When was the printing press introduced in England?
Answer : It was introduced in AD 1476.
5. What was the Great Vowel Shift?
Answer : It was a change in the pronunciation of long vowels in English.
6. Which dialect became the base for Modern English?
Answer : The East Midland dialect became the base for Modern English.
7. How many dialects did Middle English have?
Answer : Middle English had five dialects.
8. Name a famous writer of the Middle English period.
Answer : Geoffrey Chaucer was a famous writer of this period.
9. What is Geoffrey Chaucer’s most famous work?
Answer : His most famous work is The Canterbury Tales.
10. What language greatly influenced Middle English vocabulary?
Answer : French greatly influenced Middle English vocabulary.
11. How many French words were added to English in the 13th and 14th centuries?
Answer : About 10,000 French words were added.
12. What percentage of French words are still used today?
Answer : About 75% of those words are still used.
13. What type of literature was common in early Middle English?
Answer : Religious literature was common in early Middle English.
14. Who translated the Bible into Middle English?
Answer : John Wyclif translated the Bible into Middle English.
15. What change happened to English grammar during the Middle English period?
Answer : English lost many inflections and developed fixed word order.
16. Name a famous poem written in the Midland dialect.
Answer : Lay of Havelok the Dane is a famous poem in the Midland dialect.
17. Which event in AD 1066 influenced English significantly?
Answer : The Norman Conquest influenced English significantly.
18. Who was John Gower?
Answer : John Gower was a notable poet of the Middle English period.
19. Which work is considered a great example of Middle English poetry?
Answer : “and the Green Knight” is a great example.
20. What was the role of the Church in Middle English literature?
Answer : The Church supported religious writings to spread Christianity.
Medium Questions with Answers
1. What is the Great Vowel Shift, and why is it important?
Answer : The Great Vowel Shift was a major change in the pronunciation of long vowels that occurred between AD 1400 and the end of the Middle English period. It created a clear difference between Middle and Modern English pronunciation. This change helped shape the way Modern English sounds today.
2. How did the printing press impact the English language?
Answer : William Caxton introduced the printing press in England in 1476, which helped standardize the English language. It made books more available and increased literacy. This development spread a more uniform form of English across the country.
3. Why did English change from a highly inflected language to an analytic one?
Answer : During the Middle English period, phonetic changes altered the endings of words, making them hard to distinguish. As a result, English started using word order instead of word endings to show meaning. This change simplified English grammar, making it analytic.
4. How did French influence Middle English vocabulary?
Answer : After the Norman Conquest, many French words entered English, especially in law, government, and art. Words like “royalty,” “prince,” and “palace” were borrowed. Over time, these words became a permanent part of the English language.
5. What kind of literature was written during the early Middle English period?
Answer : Early Middle English literature was mostly religious, supported by the Church. It focused on spreading Christian teachings and included translations of religious texts. Secular works appeared later, including translations of French romances.
6. Who were the major writers during the Classical Middle English period?
Answer : Major writers during this period included Geoffrey Chaucer, John Gower, William Langland, and John Wyclif. Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales, while Langland is known for Piers the Plowman. These writers helped shape Middle English literature.
7. What makes The Canterbury Tales significant in Middle English literature?
Answer : The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer is significant because it provides detailed descriptions of medieval life. It also showcases a wide variety of characters and stories, written in the East Midland dialect. It is a key source of information on Middle English vocabulary and grammar.
8. How did Latin influence Middle English?
Answer : Latin influenced Middle English through science, medicine, and law. Words like “legal,” “intellect,” and “temperature” were borrowed. Some Latin words entered English directly, while others came through French.
9. What changes occurred in Middle English grammar?
Answer : Middle English grammar simplified, losing most of its inflections for gender, case, and number. Fixed word order became more important for sentence structure. This transition made Middle English much closer to Modern English in grammar.
10. What role did the Church play in the development of Middle English literature?
Answer : The Church supported religious writings to spread Christianity. It encouraged translations of religious texts and helped preserve English literature. Religious works were dominant in early Middle English, often focusing on moral teachings.
Long Questions with Answers
1. What changes happened to the English language during the Middle English period?
Answer : The Middle English period saw big changes in grammar and pronunciation. English lost many inflections, so word order became more important. The Great Vowel Shift changed how long vowels were pronounced. Many French words were added because of the Norman Conquest, especially in law, government, and fashion. The printing press helped to standardize English spelling and grammar.
2. How did the Norman Conquest affect English vocabulary and daily life?
Answer : The Norman Conquest in 1066 brought many French words into English. French became the language of the ruling class, adding words like “duke,” “castle,” and “palace.” English was still used by common people, but it mixed with French over time. Eventually, English became the main language again, with a richer vocabulary. This change influenced both the language and English society.
3. Why is Geoffrey Chaucer important in English literature?
Answer : Geoffrey Chaucer is called the “Father of English Literature” because of his famous work, The Canterbury Tales. He wrote in the East Midland dialect, which became the foundation for Modern English. His stories gave detailed descriptions of medieval life and society. Chaucer’s use of humor, dialogue, and storytelling made English literature more popular. His works are key sources for understanding Middle English.
4. What was the impact of the Great Vowel Shift on English pronunciation?
Answer : The Great Vowel Shift changed how long vowels were pronounced between 1400 and 1500. Vowels were pronounced higher in the mouth, creating a difference from Middle English. Short vowels stayed mostly the same, but long vowels changed completely. This shift explains why English spelling often does not match pronunciation. It marks a major step toward Modern English pronunciation.
5. How did the printing press help the development of the English language?
Answer : William Caxton introduced the printing press to England in 1476, which helped to standardize English. Books became easier to produce, and more people learned to read. The printing press spread one common form of English, reducing the use of different dialects. It also helped to preserve important works like The Canterbury Tales. This invention played a big role in shaping Modern English.
6. What kind of literature was written during the Middle English period?
Answer : Early Middle English literature was mostly religious because the Church supported it. Writers translated religious texts to spread Christian teachings. Later, secular works like romances and adventure stories appeared, often inspired by French literature. By the late Middle English period, writers like Chaucer produced original works in English. The literature from this time reflects the growing importance of English.
7. How did Latin influence Middle English vocabulary?
Answer : Latin influenced Middle English mainly through science, medicine, and law. Words like “legal,” “index,” and “intellect” came from Latin. Some words entered directly, while others came through French. Latin gave English many terms used in education and religion. This made Middle English vocabulary more diverse and complex.
8. What was the role of the Church in Middle English literature?
Answer : The Church played an important role in supporting early Middle English literature. Most early works were religious and aimed to spread Christian beliefs. The Church promoted translations of Latin religious texts into English. Many writers focused on moral lessons and religious teachings. This helped keep the English language alive during a time when French was dominant.
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