Question 1

Kelly asks her mother for "some" money before she goes on a trip with friends. Kelly is disappointed when her mother gives her twenty dollars, because by "some"
Money she was expecting about five times as much. Kelly's language lacked clarity, and was therefore
A) ambiguous.
B) concrete.
C) loaded.
D) semantic.

Accepted Answer

Kelly's use of "some" money was ambiguous because it could mean different amounts to different people, leading to a misunderstanding between her and her mother.

Question 2

According to English professor Samuel Hayakawa, words can be arrayed along a ladder of ___________ that shows their progression from more abstract to more concrete.
A) ambiguity
B) semantics
C) abstraction
D) language

Accepted Answer

Hayakawa introduced the concept of the "ladder of abstraction," which illustrates how words can move from highly abstract concepts to more concrete and specific terms.

Question 3

If you can trace the progression of an idea from living creatures, to animals, to mammals, to canines, to cocker spaniels, to your pet named Lucy, what are you following?
A) Semantics
B) Ambiguity
C) The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
D) The ladder of abstraction

Accepted Answer

The progression from a general category to a more specific instance, as described, is an example of moving down the ladder of abstraction. This concept involves starting with broad categories and becoming increasingly specific.

Question 4

The Ashanti tribe in Africa has a proverb that says, "The poor man and the rich man do not play together". This proverb not only influences the ways tribal members see the world, but also reflects the attitudes and behaviors of the tribe's people. This example illustrates what concept?
A) Ladder of abstraction
B) Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
C) Ambiguity of language
D) Complexity of language

Accepted Answer

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that the language people speak influences the way they think and perceive the world. This Ashanti proverb reflects and influences the tribe's perceptions and behaviors regarding social and economic disparities, illustrating the hypothesis.

Question 5

Peter Gordon, a psycholinguist at Columbia University, studied Brazil's Pirahas tribe and their use of language. He found they had very few words for time and no words for numbers or numerical ideas. His study, published in the journal Science, found that the Pirahas were incapable of doing basic math, and in fact, they were incapable of learning even the concept of numbers, despite eight months of tutoring. The fact that this tribe of people could not conceive of something for which they had no vocabulary reflects what principle?
A) Linguistic relativity
B) Ambiguous language
C) Ladder of abstraction
D) Linguistic determinism

Accepted Answer

The principle that the Pirahas' inability to conceive of numbers due to lack of vocabulary reflects is linguistic determinism, which suggests that language determines thought and that people cannot think about concepts for which they have no words.

Question 6

Linguistic _____________ suggests that because language determines our perceptions of reality, people see the world differently depending on what language they speak.
A) ambiguity
B) abstraction
C) relativity
D) determinism

Accepted Answer

The correct term is "Linguistic relativity," which posits that the language one speaks influences how one thinks and perceives the world.

Question 7

You might think Rocky is stronger than Percy simply based on his name because
A) a person's name represents a sense of self.
B) a person's name can suggest information about a person's characteristics.
C) language expresses who we are.
D) names can provide clues about someone's ethnicity.

Accepted Answer

A person's name can suggest information about a person's characteristics, and in this context, "Rocky" might imply strength or resilience, influencing one's perception of the person's physical or mental strength compared to Percy.

Question 8

Although William's parents name him William, he grows up being called Billy. When he goes away to college, he introduces himself to his new friends as Will. He becomes frustrated when, returning home for the holidays, his family continues to call him Billy. Which statement about language best applies to his frustration?
A) Language connects us to others.
B) Language motivates action.
C) Language expresses who we are.
D) Language controls our relationships.

Accepted Answer

Language is a tool for self-expression, and in this scenario, William's preference for being called "Will" reflects his desire to express his identity in a certain way. His frustration arises from his family's refusal to acknowledge this aspect of his identity, demonstrating how language can express who we are.

Question 9

_____________ is the extent to which others perceive us to be competent and trustworthy.
A) Relativity
B) Likability
C) Ambiguity
D) Credibility

Accepted Answer

Credibility is the extent to which others perceive us to be competent and trustworthy, affecting how our messages are received and interpreted.

Question 10

"Money doesn't grow on trees"is an example of what?
A) Cliché
B) Dialect
C) Weasel word
D) Slang phrase

Accepted Answer

This phrase is a cliché, meaning it's a phrase that is overused and lacks originality or freshness.

Question 11

Which of the following uses of language is least likely to diminish your credibility?
A) Clichés
B) Concrete words
C) Weasel words
D) Equivocation

Accepted Answer

Concrete words are specific and unambiguous, which helps to build credibility.

Question 12

Marissa is from New York. She is sent to Georgia by her company to supervise a new division. While there Marissa notices a difference in the way language is used. For example, she uses words like "schlep" when describing her commute, while they use "y'all"
Frequently. Marissa tries to be friendly with her new employees and coworkers, but they seem to question her credibility. What might be contributing to their lack of confidence in her?
A) Her use of a dialect different from theirs.
B) Her New Yorker clichés.
C) Her use of weasel words.
D) Her frequent equivocation.

Accepted Answer

Her use of a dialect different from theirs could contribute to the lack of confidence from her new employees and coworkers, as it might create a cultural or linguistic barrier that affects communication and perceived credibility.

Question 13

If you speak in a dialect familiar to your audience because you know it enhances your credibility, you are practicing ________________ theory.
A) equivocation
B) communication enactment
C) enhancement
D) communication accommodation

Accepted Answer

Communication accommodation theory explains how people adjust their communication styles to be more similar to or different from the people they are interacting with, often to gain approval or increase social distance. Speaking in a dialect familiar to your audience to enhance credibility is an example of converging your communication style to match that of your audience, which is a key concept in communication accommodation theory.

Question 14

_____________ is language that disguises a speaker's true intentions.
A) Dialect
B) Equivocation
C) Weasel language
D) Ambiguity

Accepted Answer

Equivocation is language that disguises a speaker's true intentions by using vague or ambiguous expressions.

Question 15

Your mother asks you if she looks good in a particular outfit and you know it is not a flattering dress on her. You don't want to hurt her feelings, so you use _______________ by saying, "I like the cut of the dress, but isn't that a color you don't like wearing"?
A) weasel words
B) concrete words
C) equivocation
D) equalization

Accepted Answer

Equivocation is used here because the response avoids directly answering the question about whether the outfit looks good, instead shifting focus to a different aspect (the color) that doesn't directly address the outfit's appearance on her. This allows for a non-confrontational response that doesn't hurt feelings.

Question 16

Kareem interviews five students about his persuasive speech topic on the legalization of marijuana. Of the five, three support his topic. During his speech, Kareem states, "Three out of five college students believe that marijuana should be legalized". Kareem's dubious research skills led him to state the misleading data that sixty percent of students support the legalization of marijuana. Kareem is using what type of language?
A) Weasel words
B) Abstract words
C) Clichés
D) Equivocation

Accepted Answer

Weasel words are words or phrases that are used to make a statement seem more convincing or to avoid making a clear commitment. In this case, Kareem uses the phrase "three out of five" to make it seem like a majority of students support his topic, when in reality only three out of five students actually do.

Question 17

Many people use social networking sites such as Facebook to meet new people and stay in contact with those they already know. Which of the following is true of the social and linguistic functions of sites like Facebook?
A) Connect us to others
B) Motivate action
C) Express who we are
D) Control contact with others

Accepted Answer

The answer of Many people use social networking sites such...

Question 18

Juan likes to say to his girlfriend things like "I hope to marry you one day" and "You are the most important person in the world to me". What is Juan using language to express?
A) Credibility
B) Affection
C) Inclusion
D) Comfort

Accepted Answer

Juan is using language to express affection towards his girlfriend by making statements that convey love and the importance of their relationship.

Question 19

There are web sites and organizations that organize card drives, sending thousands of cards are sent to American troops overseas. Besides the support these cards express, what else do they provide through the power of language?
A) Inclusion
B) Identity
C) Comfort
D) Credibility

Accepted Answer

The cards provide comfort to the troops by offering emotional support and a sense of connection to home through the power of language.

Question 20

____________ is a common communication behavior in social group settings because we frequently talk about people who are not present.
A) Conversation
B) Talking
C) Equivocation
D) Gossip

Accepted Answer

Gossip is a common communication behavior in social group settings because it involves talking about people who are not present, often sharing personal or sensational information.

Quiz 4: How We Use Language

Kelly asks her mother for "some" money before she goes on a trip with friends. Kelly is disappointed when her mother gives her twenty dollars, because by "some" Money she was expecting about five times as much. Kelly's language lacked clarity, and was therefore

According to English professor Samuel Hayakawa, words can be arrayed along a ladder of ___________ that shows their progression from more abstract to more concrete.

If you can trace the progression of an idea from living creatures, to animals, to mammals, to canines, to cocker spaniels, to your pet named Lucy, what are you following?

The Ashanti tribe in Africa has a proverb that says, "The poor man and the rich man do not play together". This proverb not only influences the ways tribal members see the world, but also reflects the attitudes and behaviors of the tribe's people. This example illustrates what concept?

Linguistic _____________ suggests that because language determines our perceptions of reality, people see the world differently depending on what language they speak.

You might think Rocky is stronger than Percy simply based on his name because

_____________ is the extent to which others perceive us to be competent and trustworthy.

"Money doesn't grow on trees"is an example of what?

Which of the following uses of language is least likely to diminish your credibility?

If you speak in a dialect familiar to your audience because you know it enhances your credibility, you are practicing ________________ theory.

_____________ is language that disguises a speaker's true intentions.

Your mother asks you if she looks good in a particular outfit and you know it is not a flattering dress on her. You don't want to hurt her feelings, so you use _______________ by saying, "I like the cut of the dress, but isn't that a color you don't like wearing"?

Many people use social networking sites such as Facebook to meet new people and stay in contact with those they already know. Which of the following is true of the social and linguistic functions of sites like Facebook?

Juan likes to say to his girlfriend things like "I hope to marry you one day" and "You are the most important person in the world to me". What is Juan using language to express?

There are web sites and organizations that organize card drives, sending thousands of cards are sent to American troops overseas. Besides the support these cards express, what else do they provide through the power of language?

____________ is a common communication behavior in social group settings because we frequently talk about people who are not present.