Question 1

By using a word such as now to replace the five-word, 17-letter phrase at this point in time, you are avoiding using

Accepted Answer

Replacing a longer, more complex phrase with a simpler, more direct word helps avoid gobbledygook, which refers to overly complex, jargon-heavy, or nonsensical language.

Question 2

Linguist John McWhorter notes that many middle-class African Americans typically speak both Black English and Standard American English, alternating between the two, often in the same sentence. This ability is an example of

Accepted Answer

Code switching refers to the ability to use more than one language or dialect in a conversation, often to accommodate different social contexts or to convey different meanings. In the example given, the ability to alternate between Black English and Standard American English within the same sentence demonstrates code switching.

Question 3

Which of the following sentences is expressed in a passive voice?

Accepted Answer

In sentence D, the subject "The contaminated salmon" is receiving the action of being eaten, which is characteristic of the passive voice.

Question 4

The first humans to speak language as we know it lived in East Africa about 1 million years ago, even though human ancestors lived about 5 million years ago in what is now Ethiopia.

Accepted Answer

While human ancestors did live in what is now Ethiopia 5 million years ago, the first humans to speak language as we know it are believed to have lived in East Africa about 50,000 years ago.

Question 5

The referent will be the same for each word used in a language.

Accepted Answer

The referent of a word may vary depending on the context and meaning intended by the speaker or writer. For example, the word "bank" could refer to a financial institution, a riverbank, or a slope.

Question 6

Which of the following is one of the three components of I Language?

Accepted Answer

One of the three components of I Language is to explain the potential consequences. The other choices are not part of I Language.

Question 7

Fully modern language probably evolved from simpler languages only 50,000 years ago.

Accepted Answer

According to current theories, fully modern language evolved from simpler languages around 50,000-100,000 years ago. This idea is supported by genetic, archaeological, and linguistic evidence.

Question 8

No two people assign the exact same meaning to the same word.

Accepted Answer

Each individual has their own unique experiences, associations, and understandings that shape their interpretation of language. Therefore, it is unlikely that any two people will assign the exact same meaning to a word.

Question 9

Language is a system of arbitrary signs and symbols used to communicate thoughts and feelings.

Accepted Answer

Language is a system of arbitrary signs and symbols, including spoken, written, and gestural forms, that are used to convey meaning through communication.

Question 10

A recent study of college students found that the number of words spoken by male students

Accepted Answer

The study found that the number of words spoken by male students was virtually the same as the number of words spoken by females. Therefore, neither A nor B is the correct choice. The study did not differentiate between the number of words spoken to classmates and parents or to spouses and strangers, making D and E invalid choices.

Question 11

Which language barrier have you experienced if you find yourself saying, "But that's not what I meant"?

Accepted Answer

The experience of saying "But that's not what I meant" often occurs when there is a bypassing language barrier. This means that the speaker and listener have different interpretations or meanings of the same words or phrases, leading to misunderstandings.

Question 12

If you want to avoid the use of gobbledygook, you should avoid doing which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If you want to avoid the use...

Question 13

The specialized language of a homogeneous group is best known as

Accepted Answer

The specialized language of a homogeneous group is commonly referred to as jargon. Jargon refers to the language that is unique to a particular field, industry, or group, and may not be readily understood by outsiders. It is a way for members of a group to communicate efficiently and accurately with one another.

Question 14

All of the following are oral language strategies except:

Accepted Answer

All of the other answer choices are strategies for making oral language more informal and accessible for listeners. Using complete sentences is important for clarity and comprehension.

Question 15

All of the following statements are examples of exclusionary language except:

Accepted Answer

Exclusionary language often singles out individuals based on their conditions, abilities, or identities in a negative or diminishing way. Statement A, "Bill uses a wheel chair," is a factual description of Bill's mobility aid without negative connotations, making it the exception.

Question 16

Offensive statements such as "damn you" or "go to hell" are typically used to express strong emotions and attitudes. Therefore, they should not

Accepted Answer

These statements are not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a way to express heightened emotions. It is important to understand that they should not be viewed as actual wishes or commands.

Question 17

Unlike symbols, signs do not have a direct relationship to the things they represent.

Accepted Answer

Unlike symbols, signs have a direct and explicit relationship to the things they represent. For example, a stop sign directly represents the idea of stopping, whereas a symbol used to represent an idea or concept may not have a direct or explicit relationship to that idea or concept.

Question 18

Many languages do not impose a grammar system on the arrangement and tense of words.

Accepted Answer

All languages have a grammar system that dictates the arrangement of words and the use of tense, even if these rules vary significantly from one language to another.

Question 19

______________ is an identifiable language developed for Internet communication.

Accepted Answer

Netlingo refers to an identifiable language developed for Internet communication, which includes abbreviations, acronyms, and other terms commonly used online.

Question 20

A euphemism substitutes a mild, indirect, or vague term for a harsh, blunt, or offensive one. Which of the following answers represents a euphemism?

Accepted Answer

All of the above are euphemisms. "Powder room" and "interrogation treatments" downplay the harsh reality of what is actually being referred to, while "darn" and "slept with" avoid explicit or offensive language.

Quiz 5: Verbal Communication