Question 1

The fact that the Inuit have more words for snow than residents of Florida do is an example of
A) allness.
B) static evaluation.
C) the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.
D) bypassing.

Accepted Answer

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, also known as linguistic relativity, suggests that the structure and vocabulary of language can influence the way its speakers perceive and think about the world. The fact that the Inuit have many words for snow reflects their cultural and linguistic emphasis on this aspect of their environment, which may in turn affect their perception and understanding of it. This idea is closely related to the concept of linguistic determinism, which posits that language has the power to determine thought and behavior.

Question 2

Using one word or phrase when you meant to say one that sounds like it is
A) an inference.
B) a connotation.
C) a restricted code.
D) a malapropism.

Accepted Answer

This is a malapropism, which occurs when someone uses a word that sounds like the intended word but has a different meaning. For example, someone saying "I had a stroke of luck" instead of "I had a stroke of genius."

Question 3

The notion that language shapes your culture and your culture shapes your language is called
A) the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.
B) linguistic determinism.
C) linguistic relativity.
D) symbolic interactionism.

Accepted Answer

The notion that language shapes your culture and your culture shapes your language is called the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. This hypothesis was developed by linguists Edward Sapir and Benjamin Whorf and asserts that language not only reflects but also shapes the way we think and perceive the world around us. It includes the ideas of linguistic determinism and linguistic relativity, which state that the structure of a language determines the way in which its speakers perceive and think about the world, and that different languages may express different modes of thought and experience.

Question 4

Which two principles form the underlying elements in the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?
A) linguistic determinism and symbolic interactionism
B) bypassing and linguistic determinism
C) linguistic determinism and linguistic relativity
D) linguistic relativity and bypassing

Accepted Answer

The two principles that form the underlying elements in the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis are linguistic determinism and linguistic relativity. Linguistic determinism suggests that the structure of a language determines the way its speakers perceive the world. Linguistic relativity suggests that differences in language structure can lead to differences in thought and behavior. These two principles combined give rise to the idea that language can shape the way we think and experience the world around us.

Question 5

There is evidence to suggest that we have the ability to control our emotions based on our ability to control what we think about,as well as the choice of words we use to describe our feelings.This illustrates that
A) words create perceptions.
B) words communicate denotative and connotative meaning.
C) words communicate concrete or abstract meaning.
D) words have power to affect the quality of our interpersonal relationships.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that our ability to control our emotions is based on our ability to control what we think about and the words we use to describe our feelings. This illustrates the power of words and their ability to create perceptions, and therefore, A is the best choice. The other options are not as directly related to the statement provided.

Question 6

A restricted code is
A) illegal word choices.
B) words having a unique meaning to a subgroup or culture.
C) words used to reveal classified information.
D) terminology that causes psychological interference.

Accepted Answer

A restricted code refers to words and phrases that have a unique meaning within a specific subgroup or culture, and may not be easily understood by individuals outside of that group. These words and phrases are often used to convey complex ideas or emotions that are important to the group, and may not have direct translations or equivalents in other languages or cultures. Examples of restricted codes might include technical jargon used within a particular profession, or slang terms used by a specific social group.

Question 7

You and your cousin have arranged to meet in front of the greenhouse.If you go to the florist and your cousin waits in front of the house down the street that was just painted green,what word barrier has occurred?
A) lack of precision
B) allness
C) bypassing
D) fact-inference confusion

Accepted Answer

The word barrier in this scenario is bypassing because you and your cousin have different interpretations of what "greenhouse" means. You are going to the florist's greenhouse, while your cousin is waiting in front of a house that was just painted green. This miscommunication shows that there was a bypassing of the intended meaning of the word "greenhouse."

Question 8

The theory stating that "as a society we are bound together because of our common use of symbols" is known as
A) symbolic interaction.
B) linguistic determinism.
C) referent interaction.
D) bypassing.

Accepted Answer

The theory stating that "as a society we are bound together because of our common use of symbols" is known as symbolic interaction. This theory emphasizes language and symbols as essential elements for communication and social interaction. It suggests that people create meaning through their interactions with each other and with their environment, and that this meaning is shaped by shared symbolic systems.

Question 9

Responses such as "Yes,I see" and "Uh-huh" are called
A) small talk.
B) word barriers.
C) indexing.
D) backchannel talk.

Accepted Answer

Responses such as "Yes, I see" and "Uh-huh" are called backchannel talk. These are verbal cues used during a conversation to show that the listener is engaged and following the speaker's train of thought. They are not considered small talk or word barriers, and indexing refers to a technique used in information retrieval.

Question 10

The nervous speaker who confused the word organism with orgasm used
A) indexing.
B) a malapropism.
C) restricted code.
D) static evaluation.

Accepted Answer

The speaker's error in using the word "orgasm" instead of "organism" is an example of a malapropism, which occurs when a person uses a word that sounds similar to the intended word but has a different meaning.

Question 11

Bypassing,static evaluation,and allness are
A) ways to make words more positive.
B) examples of the levels of abstraction.
C) barriers created by language.
D) how we interpret what we experience.

Accepted Answer

Bypassing, static evaluation, and allness are barriers created by language. Bypassing refers to using vague or ambiguous language that can lead to misunderstandings. Static evaluation is the tendency to view people or situations in fixed, unchanging categories without considering individual differences or change over time. Allness is the tendency to make sweeping generalizations or assumptions about something or someone without considering exceptions or nuances. All of these language habits can create barriers to effective communication and understanding.

Question 12

The theory that each language includes some unique features that are not found in other languages is called
A) linguistic relativity.
B) linguistic determinism.
C) the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.
D) symbolic interaction.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The theory that each language includes some...

Question 13

Lack of precision is a word barrier that occurs when
A) change is not considered when labelling people and events.
B) people and things are lumped together.
C) language reflects bias.
D) words are used inappropriately or imprecisely.

Accepted Answer

Lack of precision occurs when words are used inappropriately or imprecisely. This can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications.

Question 14

The theory of symbolic interaction illuminates
A) how language determines or influences thoughts or perceptions.
B) how we use our common understanding of symbols to form interpersonal relationships.
C) how the meaning of messages is dependent on context and nonverbal cues.
D) how the meaning of messages is dependent on language.

Accepted Answer

The theory of symbolic interaction posits that humans create meaning through interactions based on shared symbols, such as language or nonverbal cues, and these interactions form the basis of interpersonal relationships. It is not solely focused on language or context.

Question 15

How we interpret what we experience is called
A) bypassing.
B) world view.
C) high-context.
D) linguistic determinism.

Accepted Answer

World view refers to the way we interpret and make sense of our experiences based on our cultural background, beliefs, and values.

Question 16

One researcher estimated that the 500 words we use most often have over ________ different dictionary meanings.
A) 14 000
B) 16 000
C) 13 000
D) 20 000

Accepted Answer

The 500 words most commonly used in the English language have over 14,000 different dictionary meanings, highlighting the complexity and versatility of the language.

Question 17

The proud pet owner who announces that all her female cats have been sprayed is displaying what lack of clarity?
A) biased language
B) polarization
C) bypassing
D) malapropism

Accepted Answer

The correct term for sterilizing female animals is "spayed," not "sprayed." Using "sprayed" instead of the correct term "spayed" is a malapropism, which is the misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar.

Question 18

Researchers found that the most frequent topic of conversation between couples during the course of a week was
A) news and current events.
B) the couples themselves.
C) money.
D) entertainment.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that couples tend to talk most about themselves and their relationship during the course of a week, making option B the best choice. While money and entertainment may also be topics of conversation, they are generally less frequent than discussions about the couple themselves. News and current events may be discussed, but they are less likely to be a primary topic of conversation between couples.

Question 19

Bypassing occurs when
A) language reflects an ethnic bias.
B) objects have been labelled without considering change.
C) description occurs in terms of extremes.
D) the same word means different things to different people.

Accepted Answer

Bypassing occurs when a word is used in different ways or has different meanings for different people. This can lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings.

Question 20

When we label someone,it changes our attitude towards that person.This demonstrates that
A) words shape and reflect culture.
B) words create perceptions.
C) words affect the quality of our interpersonal relationships.
D) words influence thoughts.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When we label someone,it changes our attitude...

Quiz 6: Verbal Communication Skills

The fact that the Inuit have more words for snow than residents of Florida do is an example of

Using one word or phrase when you meant to say one that sounds like it is

The notion that language shapes your culture and your culture shapes your language is called

Which two principles form the underlying elements in the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

There is evidence to suggest that we have the ability to control our emotions based on our ability to control what we think about,as well as the choice of words we use to describe our feelings.This illustrates that

A restricted code is

You and your cousin have arranged to meet in front of the greenhouse.If you go to the florist and your cousin waits in front of the house down the street that was just painted green,what word barrier has occurred?

The theory stating that "as a society we are bound together because of our common use of symbols" is known as

Responses such as "Yes,I see" and "Uh-huh" are called

The nervous speaker who confused the word organism with orgasm used

Bypassing,static evaluation,and allness are

The theory that each language includes some unique features that are not found in other languages is called

Lack of precision is a word barrier that occurs when

The theory of symbolic interaction illuminates

How we interpret what we experience is called

One researcher estimated that the 500 words we use most often have over ________ different dictionary meanings.

The proud pet owner who announces that all her female cats have been sprayed is displaying what lack of clarity?

Researchers found that the most frequent topic of conversation between couples during the course of a week was

Bypassing occurs when

When we label someone,it changes our attitude towards that person.This demonstrates that