Question

Read the following research paper excerpt and answer the question.

According to Mario Pei, slang is common to English as well as to foreign languages (80). Many words that were once considered slang are now words of full, legitimate standing in our language. Some of these words are strenuous, spurious, clumsy, and bogus. Even Shakespeare introduced into current usage such slang terms of his day as hubbub, fireworks, fretful, (to) bump, and (to) dwindle. Pei estimates that about 90 per cent of all slang words eventually become permanent (Johns 12).

In the fourth sentence, the writer uses the word "even." This is an example of careful word choice because _____.

it adds length to an otherwise short sentence
it contrasts Shakespeare's reputation for beautiful words with his use of slang
it emphasizes the influence of slang
it demonstrates that Shakespeare's influence on language is lessenin

Answer 1

it emphasizes the influence of slang. The use of "even" suggests that Shakespeare, who is often seen as a master of the English language, also used slang terms in his writing. This emphasizes the prevalence and influence of slang in the English language.