I tried the "silly test" and got 50 out of 50 correct, for which it awarded me a score of a 9400 word vocab!

Then I read the fine print and found it was based on a 10000 word base (but you evidently can't get a perfect score).

Then I read the more obvious print and learned it's a test aimed at ESL students.

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As to Quinion's opinion, he misstates David Crystal's method when he suggests it includes only headwords (according to the OUP page linked above) -- "Make sure you don't miss any words out. Some dictionaries cluster (or 'nest') words together in bold face within an entry, just showing their endings, as in nation, ~al, ~ize. Don't ignore these. They are different words."

Last edited by tsuwm; 03/09/2006 6:37 AM.