Deck 4: Verbal Messages

Question 1

Which of these statements is an example of using inclusive language?

A) "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
B) "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
C) "Do you guys want to go to the store with me?"
D) "Each student should sign the honor pledge on his or her exam."

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Denotative meanings reflect our emotions and experiences, whereas connotative meanings reflect the dictionary definition.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Every person's ____ is unique to him- or herself.

A) monolect
B) dialect
C) idiolect
D) persolect

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following statements are true about slang?

A) Slang is never appropriate communication
B) Slang is primarily used by teenagers.
C) Slang should be used only when the meaning will be clear.
D) Slang is an example of vivid language.

Question 5

Concrete words are sense-related. We use concrete words to describe what we can see, smell, touch, hear, or taste.

Question 6

For a word to have meaning, it must __________________________________.

A) be used in a complete sentence
B) have a literal connection to the thing it represents
C) be spelled correctly
D) stand for a particular object, idea, or feeling

Question 7

When you have the choice between a more common vivid word or an obscure word, you should choose the more obscure.

Question 8

Sharing meaning can be difficult because language is arbitrary, abstract, and constantly changing.

Question 9

A speech community is ______________________________.

A) compromised of less than 10,000 speakers
B) a small group that speaks a common dialect
C) compromised of people within a single neighborhood
D) also known as a melting pot for language.

Question 10

To improve semantics _________________________.

A) use familiar language
B) arrange words in ways that both improve clarity and demonstrate respect
C) demonstrate linguistic sensitivity
D) do all of the above

Question 11

Each verbal language consists of a ____, a collection of words and expressions.

A) lexicon
B) phonology
C) syntax
D) language community

Question 12

A(n) ____ conveys a verbal message as well as what it implies about how the listener should respond.

A) direct verbal style
B) idiom
C) utterance
D) speech act

Question 13

If Mark says he has a new car and Paul thinks of an electric hybrid, Paul's thought reflects:

A) denotation
B) contextual integration
C) uncertainty reduction
D) connotation

Question 14

An indirect verbal style is characterized by language that openly states the speaker's intention in a straightforward and unambiguous way.

Question 15

A language changes when _________________________.

A) new words are invented.
B) existing words are abandoned
C) aspects of multiple languages blend together
D) all of these

Question 16

We use language to label, compare, and define.

Question 17

At a party, Eddie said to Scott, "Hey man, could you do me a solid and pass me those nachos?" instead of simply saying, "Scott-give me the nachos." At the ____ level, this question appears to give Scott a choice. At the ____ level, however, his message is the same.

A) pragmatic; semantic
B) semantic; pragmatic
C) connotative; denotative
D) denotative; connotative

Question 18

The feelings and evaluations we associate with a word reflect its _________________________.

A) literal meaning
B) connotative meaning
C) denotative meaning
D) less important than nonverbal messages

Question 19

Which of the following phrases is an idiom?

A) "I have a temperature of 102 degrees."
B) "I'm sick as a dog."
C) "You'd better not shake my hand"
D) "Ah-choo!"

Question 20

Jargon and slang are appropriate in most situations.

Question 21

Describe various methods that you could use to improve your language skills.

Question 22

Using the word demanded instead of asked when you mean to show force of action is a matter of word:

A) specificity
B) familiarity
C) concreteness
D) appropriateness

Question 23

If instead of saying "The car was wrecked" you say, "The left fender was dented by a hit-and-run driver," you are using:

A) emphasis
B) appropriateness
C) specificity
D) concreteness

Question 24

To improve your use of pragmatics in verbal messages, do all of the following except ___________________________.

A) acknowledge when your message violates a guideline
B) provide as much information as possible
C) relate what you said to the topic being discussed
D) assume the best first

Question 25

You have prepared a speech about HIV and AIDS for what you have been told is a group of people in their mid-20s who have been taking training courses about infectious diseases. Your main points are: (1) HIV is a highly infections virus; (2) HIV is contracted primarily through sharing of needles, blood transfusions, and unprotected sex; (3) Millions of people die each year from AIDS or AIDS-related illnesses; (4) We can reduce the HIV/AIDS epidemic by educating people on how to reduce their risk factors and encouraging people to get tested regularly. When you arrive, you see that the audience members are about 10 and 11 years old. How would you adjust your speech to be linguistically sensitive? Be sure to note at least two specific ways the text notes that one should be linguistically sensitive, and use specific examples.

Question 26

Which of the following best exemplifies concrete language?

A) "Janice is such a card, isn't she?"
B) "Janice has such a funny way about her."
C) "Janice's clothing choices are certainly unique!"
D) Isn't it weird that Janice dresses like 1920s socialite?"

Question 27

Tia says, "Ew! Lizards are so gross and scary." Aimee disagrees, "No way! They're awesome pets and so sweet." Tia and Aimee are disagreeing about the ____ of the word "lizard."

A) concrete meaning
B) denotative meaning
C) connotative meaning
D) metaphoric meaning

Question 28

Saying "three-bedroom ranch" instead of "house" is a matter of word:

A) specificity
B) familiarity
C) concreteness
D) vividness

Question 29

When John was showing his mom how to use her new smartphone, he walked her through it slowly, using idioms and metaphors that she could understand without relying too heavily on jargon. John was ____

A) using specific language
B) using concrete language
C) using familiar language
D) using descriptive details

Question 30

Describe a situation in which it would be extremely important to demonstrate sociolinguistic sensitivity. Create a brief conversation between two people that might occur during this situation. One of the people should demonstrate an understanding of sociolinguistic differences, while the other should not.

Question 31

______________ is the practice of paying attention to what is happening at any given moment during a conversation

A) indexing
B) mindfulness
C) separation fact from inference
D) evaluation