Question 1

The speaker's actual intent is not always clear from the specific words used, but listeners use their practical knowledge to accurately comprehend the intent and to reply appropriately.This practical knowledge represents:
A)syntax
B)prototypes
C)pragmatics
D)defining features

Accepted Answer

Pragmatics refers to the practical knowledge and social context that is necessary to understand the intended meaning of a speaker's words, even when it is not explicitly stated. This includes understanding things like sarcasm, implied meaning, and cultural nuances.

Question 2

The practical knowledge used to comprehend a speaker's intentions and produce an effective response is called:
A)semantics
B)syntactics
C)heuristics
D)pragmatics

Accepted Answer

The definition given in the question perfectly describes pragmatics - the understanding and production of language in context, including social cues and intended meanings. Semantics refers to the meaning of words and phrases, while syntactics refers to the rules for arranging words into sentences. Heuristics are problem-solving strategies.

Question 3

Babies generally start babbling:
A)in the first few hours after they are born
B)during the first month
C)between the ages of 4 and 6 months
D)between the ages of 2 and 3 months

Accepted Answer

According to developmental milestones, babies generally start babbling between the ages of 4 and 6 months. They become more vocal and begin to experiment with making different sounds and syllables.

Question 4

The sentence "Racing cars can be dangerous" can be interpreted in at least two very different ways.This sentence has:
A)one surface structure and at least two deep structures
B)one deep structure and at least two surface structures
C)two surface structures and at least two deep structures
D)one deep structure and one surface structure

Accepted Answer

The sentence has one surface structure (the way it is written) but can be interpreted in at least two different ways (meaning it has at least two deep structures): 1) the act of racing cars can be dangerous, and 2) cars designed for racing can be dangerous.

Question 5

Language comprehension relies on:
A)both bottom-up and top-down processing
B)neither bottom-up nor top-down processing
C)bottom-up processing alone
D)top-down processing alone

Accepted Answer

Language comprehension relies on both bottom-up processing (processing the individual words and sounds) and top-down processing (using knowledge and context to interpret the meaning).

Question 6

Which of the following is one of the pragmatic guidelines followed by good speakers?
A)be relevant
B)speak sparingly
C)gesture frequently
D)talk quickly

Accepted Answer

One of the pragmatic guidelines followed by good speakers is to be relevant. This means focusing on the topic at hand and providing information that is useful and pertinent to the audience. Speaking sparingly, gesturing frequently, or talking quickly may not necessarily be effective or appropriate in all situations.

Question 7

The speaker typically follows pragmatic guidelines or maxims in conversations.Which of the following is NOT an example of such a guideline?
A)be relevant
B)tell the truth
C)be interesting
D)be clear

Accepted Answer

Being interesting is not a specific pragmatic guideline or maxim. The other options (being relevant, telling the truth, being clear) are commonly recognized maxims in conversation.

Question 8

Which of the following forms of communication in the infant emerges first?
A)babbling
B)cooing
C)first words
D)telegraphic speech

Accepted Answer

Cooing is the first form of communication that infants exhibit, usually occurring between 1-2 months of age. Babbling typically begins around 6 months, followed by first words around 10-12 months, and telegraphic speech around 18-24 months.

Question 9

Effective communication seems to rely a great deal on common:
A)heuristics
B)metaphors
C)knowledge
D)pitch

Accepted Answer

Effective communication relies heavily on common knowledge between the receiver and sender. It is important to have similar understanding and background information in order to properly convey a message. While heuristics, metaphors, and pitch may be useful in communication, they are not as critical as common knowledge.

Question 10

Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding language development?
A)experience plays no role in language development
B)there is a regularity to language development
C)it is easy to explain language development by appealing only to environment
D)the universality of language development becomes apparent at the start of adolescence

Accepted Answer

Language development follows a regular pattern, with children typically acquiring certain language abilities at certain ages. However, this pattern may vary across individuals and cultures. Experience plays a crucial role in language development, but it is not the only factor. Genetic and biological factors also contribute to language acquisition. Additionally, the universality of language development is apparent from infancy, not adolescence.

Question 11

A child has just started cooing.You can guess the child is between:
A)3 and 5 weeks of age
B)2 and 3 months of age
C)4 and 6 months of age
D)8 and 10 months of age

Accepted Answer

The answer of A child has just started cooing.You can...

Question 12

Bob has just said something to Crystal that sounds really mean.However, Crystal knows that Bob is just joking because of his facial expression, body language, and the nature of the situation.This shows the importance of which aspect of language?
A)pragmatics
B)phonology
C)syntax
D)morphology

Accepted Answer

Pragmatics refers to the study of meaning in context. In this situation, Crystal is able to interpret that Bob is joking not based on the literal meaning of his words, but rather on the context provided by his facial expression, body language, and the nature of their relationship. This demonstrates the importance of pragmatics in understanding meaning beyond just the words that are spoken. Phonology, syntax, and morphology all have to do with the structure and sound of language, but in this situation, it is the context that is most relevant.

Question 13

Cooing refers to the:
A)repetition of vowel sounds
B)repetition of vowel-consonant combinations
C)first vocalizations specific to a native language
D)combining words in order with some parts of speech omitted

Accepted Answer

Cooing primarily involves the repetition of vowel sounds, which is a developmental stage in early infancy where babies begin to vocalize and experiment with making sounds.

Question 14

Babbling refers to producing:
A)different cries to signify different kinds of discomfort
B)first words, but with incorrect semantic structure
C)combinations of vowel sounds
D)consonant and vowel combinations

Accepted Answer

Babbling is a stage in child language acquisition, during which infants experiment with making sounds, including both consonants and vowels, that do not form actual words but are precursors to speech.

Question 15

Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding language development?
A)experience plays no role in language development
B)language develops in a highly irregular fashion
C)it is easy to explain language development by appealing only to environment
D)the universality of language development is apparent even at birth

Accepted Answer

The universality of language development is apparent even at birth, as all infants are able to distinguish between various speech sounds and can produce a variety of cries and vocalizations. Experience and environment certainly play a role in further language development, but the basic building blocks of language are present from the beginning. Option A is false, as experience is known to have a significant impact on language development. Option B is also false, as although there may be individual differences in the pace and pattern of language development, overall the process is quite orderly and predictable. Option C is false because language development is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including exposure to language input, social interaction, and cognitive development.

Question 16

Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding language development?
A)experience plays no role in language development
B)language develops in a highly irregular fashion
C)it is difficult to explain language development by appealing only to environment
D)the universality of language development becomes apparent at the start of adolescence

Accepted Answer

While environment does play a significant role in language development, it is difficult to explain the full extent of language development without also considering biological and cognitive factors. Additionally, language development typically follows a set of developmental stages and milestones, rather than developing in a highly irregular fashion. The universality of language development is also apparent much earlier than adolescence, as even very young infants across different cultures show similar patterns of language acquisition.

Question 17

From the viewpoint of pragmatics, if someone wants to get someone to think more creatively in a problem solving situation, it may be better to be:
A)silent
B)direct
C)blunt
D)sarcastic

Accepted Answer

The answer of From the viewpoint of pragmatics, if someone...

Question 18

Bobbi is talking with Jennifer and sounds really angry.However, Jennifer knows that Bobbi is just joking because of her facial expression, body language, and the nature of the situation.This shows the importance of which aspect of language?
A)pragmatics
B)phonology
C)syntax
D)morphology

Accepted Answer

Pragmatics refers to the social context in which language is used, including factors such as facial expressions, body language, and the nature of the situation. In this scenario, Jennifer is able to understand that Bobbi is not actually angry because of these contextual cues.

Question 19

Pragmatics refers to the practical knowledge used to:
A)comprehend a speaker's intentions and produce an effective response
B)understand the surface structure of a sentence
C)translate meaningless phonemes into morphemes with meaning
D)translate written language into an "inner voice"

Accepted Answer

Pragmatics refers to using knowledge of social and cultural contexts to comprehend speaker intentions and produce appropriate responses. This includes understanding non-literal language, implicatures, and presuppositions. It is a practical aspect of language use that goes beyond the surface structure of sentences and requires an awareness of social and cultural norms.

Question 20

Cooing refers to producing:
A)different cries to signify different kinds of discomfort
B)combinations of vowel sounds
C)consonant and vowel combinations
D)first words, but with incorrect semantic structure

Accepted Answer

Cooing is the production of combinations of vowel sounds by infants, typically around 2-3 months old, as an early form of communication. Choice A is incorrect as different cries for different discomforts would fall under the category of crying, not cooing. Choice C is incorrect as consonant-vowel combinations typically do not occur until later stages of speech development. Choice D is incorrect as cooing does not involve first words or any kind of semantic structure.

Quiz 9: Language and Thought

The speaker's actual intent is not always clear from the specific words used, but listeners use their practical knowledge to accurately comprehend the intent and to reply appropriately.This practical knowledge represents:

The practical knowledge used to comprehend a speaker's intentions and produce an effective response is called:

Babies generally start babbling:

The sentence "Racing cars can be dangerous" can be interpreted in at least two very different ways.This sentence has:

Language comprehension relies on:

Which of the following is one of the pragmatic guidelines followed by good speakers?

The speaker typically follows pragmatic guidelines or maxims in conversations.Which of the following is NOT an example of such a guideline?

Which of the following forms of communication in the infant emerges first?

Effective communication seems to rely a great deal on common:

Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding language development?

A child has just started cooing.You can guess the child is between:

Bob has just said something to Crystal that sounds really mean.However, Crystal knows that Bob is just joking because of his facial expression, body language, and the nature of the situation.This shows the importance of which aspect of language?

Cooing refers to the:

Babbling refers to producing:

Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding language development?

Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding language development?

From the viewpoint of pragmatics, if someone wants to get someone to think more creatively in a problem solving situation, it may be better to be:

Bobbi is talking with Jennifer and sounds really angry.However, Jennifer knows that Bobbi is just joking because of her facial expression, body language, and the nature of the situation.This shows the importance of which aspect of language?

Pragmatics refers to the practical knowledge used to:

Cooing refers to producing: