Question 1

When a professor says that in order to avoid being counted absent you must come to scheduled classes, come to class before the bell, stay the entire class period, and leave only when dismissed, she is using an operational definition.

Accepted Answer

The professor is providing specific criteria or operations that define what it means to be present in class and avoid being counted absent. Therefore, she is using an operational definition.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about language is FALSE?
A) Words only have meanings that people give them.
B) Words also have connotative meanings.
C) The context in which a word occurs helps us determine which of the possible meanings is intended.
D) The meaning of a word does not change once it is included in the dictionary.

Accepted Answer

The meaning of a word can and often does change over time and dictionaries are updated to reflect these changes.

Question 3

The term that refers to the arrangement of words is
A) grammar.
B) code.
C) encoding.
D) syntax.

Accepted Answer

Syntax refers to the arrangement of words in a sentence, including the order and placement of words, phrases, and clauses. Grammar refers to the rules that govern the structure of language, while code and encoding refer more generally to systems of communication and representation.

Question 4

Technical language that has been developed by a professional group is known as
A) irony.
B) paraphrase.
C) colloquialisms.
D) jargon.

Accepted Answer

Jargon refers to technical language that is specific to a particular profession or group.

Question 5

Dating is a term in general semantics that means communication is improved if you always specify how your observation was made.

Accepted Answer

This is the definition of dating in general semantics, which highlights the importance of specifying the context and source of our observations to improve communication.

Question 6

Language that puts down people for being young or old is
A) gender-biased language.
B) racist language.
C) heterosexist language.
D) ageist language.

Accepted Answer

Ageist language is language that discriminates against or stereotypes people based on their age. Using language that puts down people for being young or old is a form of ageism.

Question 7

Which of the following does NOT accurately describe what we mean when we say that language is personal?
A) We each have different vocabularies.
B) We develop our own expressions to describe our own reality.
C) We have different levels of experience that limit or expand our capacity to communicate ideas and things.
D) We each have developed language without the influence of our age, gender, or personality.

Accepted Answer

The statement that we each developed language without the influence of our age, gender, or personality is not accurate. Our age, gender, and personality all play a role in shaping our language development and communication style.

Question 8

Semantics can be defined as the
A) science of meaning in language.
B) study of transformational grammar.
C) discipline devoted to creating words.
D) systematic examination of spelling and syntax.

Accepted Answer

Semantics is the study of the meaning of language, including words, phrases, and sentences. It is concerned with how words and sentences convey meaning and how meaning can vary in different contexts. Therefore, choice A is the correct definition of semantics. Choices B, C, and D do not accurately describe semantics.

Question 9

Which of the following does NOT mean that "words are arbitrary"?
A) Words have inherent meaning.
B) Words are created by people.
C) The meaning of words is decided by listeners.
D) Things are named by people.

Accepted Answer

If words have inherent meaning, then they are not arbitrary.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT an example of a cliché?
A) "You only get out of it what you put in it."
B) "Our country is more of a banquet than a melting pot."
C) "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer."
D) "No pain, no gain."

Accepted Answer

The phrase "more of a banquet than a melting pot" is not a commonly used phrase or expression and therefore cannot be considered a cliche. The other options are all common cliches that are frequently used in everyday conversation.

Question 11

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis states that our perception of reality is shaped by our language.

Accepted Answer

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, also known as linguistic relativity, proposes that language not only shapes the way we communicate but also influences the way we think and perceive the world around us.

Question 12

Paraphrasing is the repetition of a message in the same words.

Accepted Answer

Paraphrasing involves expressing a message in different words while maintaining its original meaning.

Question 13

The same bottom-feeding fish known as bullheads in Minnesota are called catfish in Ohio. This language phenomenon is classified as
A) slang.
B) regionalism.
C) euphemism.
D) colloquialism.

Accepted Answer

Regionalism refers to language or vocabulary specific to a particular region or area. In this case, the different names for the same type of fish in Minnesota and Ohio represent a regionalism. Slang refers to informal language that is often specific to certain social groups, euphemism refers to using a more mild or indirect word or phrase to replace a harsher or more direct one, and colloquialism refers to informal language or expressions commonly used in everyday speech.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a true statement about slang and jargon?
A) Jargon is likely to be used by technical/professional people.
B) Slang is likely to be used in the neighborhood and on the streets.
C) Jargon is most likely to be used in the workplace.
D) Slang is not understood or used by most people.

Accepted Answer

Slang is a type of informal language that is used frequently in everyday conversations, especially among younger generations. While it may not be understood or used by everyone, it is still commonly used in many social contexts. Jargon, on the other hand, is specialized language that is typically used by professionals in a particular field, such as medicine or law. It is not limited to the workplace and can be used in a variety of settings.

Question 15

Which of the following best typifies the meaning of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?
A) The thought is the father to the deed.
B) If you can't say it, you can't think it.
C) Your language shapes your perception.
D) Your perceptions shape your language.

Accepted Answer

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that your language shapes your perception of reality. It posits that the language you use affects the way you think and view the world around you.

Question 16

To say that "fraternity members are rich" is a violation of the general semanticist's notion of indexing.

Accepted Answer

This statement violates the principle of indexing in general semantics, which emphasizes the importance of recognizing individual differences and avoiding overgeneralizations about groups. Indexing reminds us to specify which members or at what times we are referring to, rather than making broad, unspecific statements.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of indexing?
A) Fords get great gas mileage.
B) My Shih Tzu chews on everything. Does yours do that as well?
C) Everyone in the Midwest farms.
D) All landlords are unhelpful.

Accepted Answer

Indexing involves recognizing that not all members of a group are the same. In option B, the speaker acknowledges that their Shih Tzu chews on everything and asks if the listener's Shih Tzu does the same, indicating an understanding that not all Shih Tzus may behave the same way.

Question 18

Which of these statements is an example of euphemism?
A) toilet
B) can
C) head
D) rest room

Accepted Answer

"Rest room" is an example of euphemism because it is a more polite or indirect way of referring to a toilet or bathroom.

Question 19

Which of the following examples best depicts the denotative meaning of a word?
A) Abortion is the murder of a fetus.
B) Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy in the first trimester.
C) Abortion is the last-ditch birth control.
D) Abortion is the death of a human soul.

Accepted Answer

The denotative meaning of a word is its literal and dictionary definition. In this case, "abortion" is defined as the termination of a pregnancy in the first trimester. Option B provides a straightforward and accurate description of the denotative meaning of the word "abortion." The other options add emotional and subjective connotations to the word, which do not reflect its literal meaning.

Question 20

When you say that you "need to use the rest room" instead of saying you "have to go to the toilet," you are using slang.

Accepted Answer

Using "need to use the restroom" is not slang; it's a polite and common way to refer to using the bathroom. "Have to go to the toilet" is more colloquial and may be considered slang in certain contexts.

Quiz 3: Language and Meaning

When a professor says that in order to avoid being counted absent you must come to scheduled classes, come to class before the bell, stay the entire class period, and leave only when dismissed, she is using an operational definition.

Which of the following statements about language is FALSE?

The term that refers to the arrangement of words is

Technical language that has been developed by a professional group is known as

Dating is a term in general semantics that means communication is improved if you always specify how your observation was made.

Language that puts down people for being young or old is

Which of the following does NOT accurately describe what we mean when we say that language is personal?

Semantics can be defined as the

Which of the following does NOT mean that "words are arbitrary"?

Which of the following is NOT an example of a cliché?

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis states that our perception of reality is shaped by our language.

Paraphrasing is the repetition of a message in the same words.

The same bottom-feeding fish known as bullheads in Minnesota are called catfish in Ohio. This language phenomenon is classified as

Which of the following is NOT a true statement about slang and jargon?

Which of the following best typifies the meaning of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

To say that "fraternity members are rich" is a violation of the general semanticist's notion of indexing.

Which of the following is an example of indexing?

Which of these statements is an example of euphemism?

Which of the following examples best depicts the denotative meaning of a word?

When you say that you "need to use the rest room" instead of saying you "have to go to the toilet," you are using slang.