Question 1

An example of telegraphic speech is
A) "Cookie."
B) "Want cookie."
C) "I want a cookie."
D) "I want a chocolate chip cookie."

Accepted Answer

Telegraphic speech typically consists of two-word utterances that focus on the key words and omit smaller, less important words, making "Want cookie" a prime example.

Question 2

Characteristics of early speech include all of the following EXCEPT
A) simplification.
B) overextension.
C) understanding grammar without being able to express it.
D) use of motherese.

Accepted Answer

Motherese, also known as parentese or infant-directed speech, is characterized by a higher pitch, slower tempo, and exaggerated intonation. It is used by adults when speaking to babies and young children to help them learn language. However, it is not a characteristic of early speech produced by children themselves; rather, it's a characteristic of how adults speak to children.

Question 3

Fran says,"Yesterday,I sitted on the floor." This is an example of __________ grammatical rules.
A) underextending
B) overextending
C) overregularizing
D) paraphrasing

Accepted Answer

The sentence "Yesterday, I sitted on the floor" is an example of overregularizing, where a grammatical rule is applied in an overly regular or simplified way. In this case, Fran has applied the rule of adding -ed to form past tense, but has not followed the irregular past tense form of the verb "sit," which is "sat."

Question 4

June announces that she "drinked all the milk." June is exhibiting
A) overregularizing.
B) overextending.
C) underextending.
D) use of holophrases.

Accepted Answer

June is exhibiting overregularizing by applying a regular past tense rule ("-ed" ending) to an irregular verb "drink".

Question 5

A child who calls a dog a "bow-wow" and also calls a cat a "bow-wow" is
A) overextending.
B) overregularizing.
C) underextending.
D) using syntax.

Accepted Answer

The child is overextending by using the same label ("bow-wow") for both the dog and the cat, indicating a lack of differentiation between the two animals. Overregularizing refers to applying grammatical rules too broadly, underextending refers to using a label too narrowly, and using syntax refers to the rules of sentence structure.

Question 6

The organization of linguistic processes in the brain may depend heavily on __________ during maturation.
A) genetics
B) experience
C) nutrition
D) lateralization

Accepted Answer

Linguistic processes, including language acquisition, are heavily influenced by experience and exposure to language, particularly during critical periods of development. While genetics may play a role in language ability, it is not the most significant factor. Nutrition may impact brain development and function, but its specific relationship to linguistic processes is unclear. Lateralization refers to the specialization of different brain regions for specific functions and is not directly related to the organization of linguistic processes in the brain.

Question 7

According to which of the following theories is language acquired by imitation and reinforcement of specific sounds?
A) Piagetian theory
B) Psychometric theory
C) Nativism theory
D) Learning theory

Accepted Answer

The Learning theory suggests that language acquisition occurs through imitation and reinforcement of specific sounds. This theory emphasizes the role of the environment and the experiences of the child in language development.

Question 8

Learning theory implies that
A) newborns should be able to distinguish between sounds.
B) children acquire language the same way they learn to walk.
C) children will learn language more rapidly with praise and attention.
D) children learn language by classical conditioning.

Accepted Answer

Learning theory suggests that children learn language through reinforcement, such as praise and attention, which encourages them to repeat and refine their language skills.

Question 9

Chomsky's proposal that humans possess a language acquisition device is MOST consistent with a(n)__________ view of language acquisition.
A) learning theory
B) nativist
C) empiricist
D) prelinguistic

Accepted Answer

Chomsky's proposal that humans possess a language acquisition device suggests that language acquisition is primarily innate and an inherited ability. This view is consistent with the nativist approach to language acquisition.

Question 10

Olivia calls all four-legged,furry animals "Kitty" because she has a four-legged,furry cat.Olivia is exhibiting
A) overregularizing.
B) overextending.
C) underextending.
D) use of holophrases.

Accepted Answer

Olivia is overextending the term "kitty" to all four-legged, furry animals based on her experience with her own cat. Overextension is a common language development stage in which a child applies a word to a broader category than it actually represents. It is different from underextension, in which a child applies a word to a narrower category, and holophrases, which refer to using a single word to convey a complete thought or sentence. Overregularizing refers to overapplying regular grammar rules, such as saying "goed" instead of "went."

Question 11

Juan's vocabulary suddenly jumps from 50 words to 400 words.He is probably at least how old?
A) 11 months
B) 16 months
C) 30 months
D) 3 ½ years

Accepted Answer

This rapid increase in vocabulary typically occurs around 18-24 months, a period often referred to as the "vocabulary explosion" or "naming explosion." At 16 months, many toddlers experience significant growth in their ability to learn and use new words, making option B the closest and most accurate choice.

Question 12

The activity of stringing together meaningless motions and repeating them over and over,a process performed by deaf children,is called
A) hand babbling.
B) hand cooing.
C) motherese.
D) asymmetric acoustics.

Accepted Answer

Hand babbling is the activity of stringing together meaningless motions and repeating them over and over, much like vocal babbling in hearing children. This behavior is commonly observed in deaf children and serves as a precursor to sign language acquisition. Choices B, C, and D are not related to this specific behavior.

Question 13

Most children speak in two-word sentences by about what age?
A) 8 months
B) 10 months
C) 14 months
D) 24 months

Accepted Answer

Most children speak in two-word sentences by about 24 months or 2 years old.

Question 14

An important predictor of a baby's language comprehension is the mother's
A) relationship with the baby.
B) verbal sensitivity.
C) emotional stability.
D) social sensitivity.

Accepted Answer

Verbal sensitivity, or the way a mother speaks to her baby, has been shown to be a strong predictor of a baby's language comprehension. Mothers who speak to their babies using a varied vocabulary and clear pronunciations have been found to have babies with stronger language skills.

Question 15

The phrase "Market went the to I" violates what aspect of language?
A) Phonological rules
B) Morphology
C) Syntax
D) Telegraphic

Accepted Answer

The phrase violates syntax, which is the set of rules governing the order and structure of words and phrases to form sentences and expressions in a particular language. The correct syntax would be "The market went to the I."

Question 16

Nativists would cite all of the following evidence to support their view EXCEPT
A) the human brain is larger on the left side than on the right.
B) children learn their own language in an age-related sequence without formal teaching.
C) children vary widely in grammatical skills and fluency.
D) deaf children make up their own sign language without models.

Accepted Answer

Nativists argue that the ability to learn language is innate, supported by evidence such as the specialized brain structures for language, the universal sequence of language acquisition, and the spontaneous development of sign languages by deaf children. The wide variation in grammatical skills and fluency among children (C) does not directly support the nativist view, as it highlights differences in language proficiency rather than the innate capacity to learn language.

Question 17

According to which of the following theories do humans have an innate capacity to acquire language?
A) Behaviorism
B) Operant conditioning
C) Nativism
D) Learning theory

Accepted Answer

Nativism posits that humans have an innate capacity to acquire language, which is supported by evidence such as the critical period for language acquisition and the fact that children across cultures acquire language in similar ways, even if they are not explicitly taught grammar rules. Behaviorism and operant conditioning suggest that language is learned through external reinforcement and conditioning, and learning theory emphasizes the role of environmental factors in language acquisition.

Question 18

According to Noam Chomsky,a language acquisition device is
A) a perceptual mechanism that allows reinforcement to strengthen commonly used words in a language.
B) a mechanism that enables the brain to infer linguistic rules from the language it hears.
C) an inborn mechanism that helps children to understand the meanings of words.
D) something that helps a child learn to read.

Accepted Answer

Noam Chomsky proposed that language acquisition device (LAD) is an innate mechanism that enables the brain to infer linguistic rules from the language it hears. It is believed to be responsible for the cognitive processes underlying the acquisition and use of language. Thus, option B is the correct choice. Options A, C, and D do not accurately describe the language acquisition device proposed by Chomsky.

Question 19

With regard to language development,most developmentalists currently favor
A) nativism.
B) learning theory.
C) a combination of nativism and learning theory.
D) rejection of both nativism and learning theory.

Accepted Answer

Most developmentalists currently favor a combination of nativism and learning theory, often referred to as interactionism. This approach suggests that language development is influenced by both innate factors and environmental experiences. While nativism emphasizes the role of genetic and biological factors in language acquisition, learning theory emphasizes the role of environmental input and reinforcement. Interactionism suggests that language development results from the interplay between these innate and environmental factors.

Question 20

Mindy,who is 24 months old,is beginning to speak sentences with articles and prepositions.She is developing
A) holophrases.
B) syntax.
C) overextensive speech.
D) telegraphic speech.

Accepted Answer

Mindy's ability to use articles and prepositions suggests that she is developing syntax, or the ability to organize words into meaningful sentences. Holophrases, telegraphic speech, and overextensive speech are all earlier stages of language development that Mindy would have already progressed through at 24 months old.

Quiz 5: Cognitive Development During the First Three Years

An example of telegraphic speech is

Characteristics of early speech include all of the following EXCEPT

Fran says,"Yesterday,I sitted on the floor." This is an example of __________ grammatical rules.

June announces that she "drinked all the milk." June is exhibiting

A child who calls a dog a "bow-wow" and also calls a cat a "bow-wow" is

The organization of linguistic processes in the brain may depend heavily on __________ during maturation.

According to which of the following theories is language acquired by imitation and reinforcement of specific sounds?

Learning theory implies that

Chomsky's proposal that humans possess a language acquisition device is MOST consistent with a(n) __________ view of language acquisition.

Olivia calls all four-legged,furry animals "Kitty" because she has a four-legged,furry cat.Olivia is exhibiting

Juan's vocabulary suddenly jumps from 50 words to 400 words.He is probably at least how old?

The activity of stringing together meaningless motions and repeating them over and over,a process performed by deaf children,is called

Most children speak in two-word sentences by about what age?

An important predictor of a baby's language comprehension is the mother's

The phrase "Market went the to I" violates what aspect of language?

Nativists would cite all of the following evidence to support their view EXCEPT

According to which of the following theories do humans have an innate capacity to acquire language?

According to Noam Chomsky,a language acquisition device is

With regard to language development,most developmentalists currently favor

Mindy,who is 24 months old,is beginning to speak sentences with articles and prepositions.She is developing