Exercises C2 : use Archaisms in English (answers)

These exercises will help you actively apply the archaic English forms covered in the course, from second-person pronouns to archaic verb conjugations and vocabulary found in Shakespeare and the King James Bible.

→ See the course : Archaisms in English : complete course

Exercise 1 : Identify the Correct Archaic Form

Choose the correct archaic English word or form to complete each sentence as it would appear in a Shakespearean or King James Bible text.

1. Speak now, or ___ hold thy peace for evermore.
   • else
   • ere
   • henceforth
   • withal
2. ___ thou art my brother, I shall not forsake thee.
   • Whilst
   • Sith
   • Wherefore
   • Albeit
3. He ___ spoken many words, yet none hath moved the king.
   • have
   • hath
   • has
   • doth
4. I shall return ___ the sun doth set upon the hills.
   • after
   • ere
   • since
   • whilst

Correction

1. Speak now, or else hold thy peace for evermore.
2. Sith thou art my brother, I shall not forsake thee.
3. He hath spoken many words, yet none hath moved the king.
4. I shall return ere the sun doth set upon the hills.

Exercise 2 : Match the Archaism to Its Modern Equivalent

Match each archaic English word or phrase on the left with its modern English equivalent on the right.

1. Thou dost
2. Ere long
3. Whither goest thou?
4. Methinks it is a fault

• This old-fashioned phrase means 'It seems to me that it is a fault' in modern English.
• This expression means 'soon' or 'before long' in modern English.
• This archaic question means 'Where are you going?' in modern English.
• This archaic form corresponds to 'you do' in modern English.

Correction

1. Thou dost – This archaic form corresponds to 'you do' in modern English.
2. Ere long – This expression means 'soon' or 'before long' in modern English.
3. Whither goest thou? – This archaic question means 'Where are you going?' in modern English.
4. Methinks it is a fault – This old-fashioned phrase means 'It seems to me that it is a fault' in modern English.

Exercise 3 : Complete the Archaic Passage

Fill in each blank with the appropriate archaic English word or conjugated form to restore the passage to its original Early Modern English style.

1. ___ canst thou not hold thy tongue when the king ___ speak?
2. She ___ wept bitterly, for she knew ___ her hour was come.
3. Go ___ to the market, and return ___ nightfall.
4. ___ art the man whom I have chosen above all ___.

Correction

1. Why canst thou not hold thy tongue when the king doth speak?
2. She hath wept bitterly, for she knew that her hour was come.
3. Go thee to the market, and return ere nightfall.
4. Thou art the man whom I have chosen above all others.