Question 1

Loftus and Zanni (1975)found that:
A) choice of article affects listeners' beliefs.
B) choice of article does not affect listeners' beliefs.
C) using the article a affects listeners' beliefs.
D) using the article the affects listeners' beliefs.

Accepted Answer

Loftus and Zanni (1975) found that the choice of article (e.g., "a" vs. "the") in questions can influence listeners' beliefs and memories about an event, indicating that subtle differences in language can affect perception and recall.

Question 2

_____ are made automatically.
A) Direct statements
B) Bridging inferences
C) Elaborative inferences
D) Forward inferences

Accepted Answer

Bridging inferences are made automatically to fill in missing information and connections between ideas in text or conversation. They help us to create a coherent and complete understanding of the message being conveyed. Direct statements are explicitly stated in the text, elaborative inferences involve adding additional information to the text, and forward inferences involve predicting what may happen next based on the current text or situation.

Question 3

According to the modularity position:
A) there is an initial phase in which we only process semantics.
B) there is an initial phase in which we only process syntax.
C) there is an initial phase in which we process both semantics and syntax.
D) semantics and syntax are combined at all levels of processing.

Accepted Answer

The modularity position posits that there is an initial phase of language processing where the brain handles syntax (the structure of sentences) separately from semantics (the meaning of words and sentences). This suggests that our understanding of language structure precedes and operates independently from our understanding of language meaning in the early stages of processing.

Question 4

It is optional whether people will make:
A) direct statements.
B) backward inferences.
C) bridging inferences.
D) elaborative inferences.

Accepted Answer

The answer of It is optional whether people will make:
A)...

Question 5

Gina is looking at the bus schedule.She needs to go to the mall to buy a dress to wear to the prom.The sentence "Gina is looking at the bus schedule" corresponds to Kintsch's:
A) surface level.
B) propositional level.
C) situational model.
D) unambiguous level.

Accepted Answer

The surface level refers to the literal wording and structure of the sentence, which is what Gina is doing by looking at the bus schedule.

Question 6

When an ambiguous word is presented,readers select a meaning within:
A) 70 msec.
B) 200 msec.
C) 700 msec.
D) 7 sec.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When an ambiguous word is presented,readers select...

Question 7

Gina is looking at the bus schedule.She needs to go to the mall to buy a dress to wear to the prom.The sentence "Gina is going to take the bus to the mall" corresponds to Kintsch's:
A) surface level.
B) propositional level.
C) situational model.
D) unambiguous level.

Accepted Answer

The sentence "Gina is going to take the bus to the mall" corresponds to Kintsch's situational model because it involves understanding the situation or the context in which actions are taking place, beyond just the literal meaning of the words.

Question 8

Gina is looking at the bus schedule.She needs to go to the mall to buy a dress to wear to the prom.The sentence "Gina is going to buy a dress" corresponds to Kintsch's:
A) surface level.
B) propositional level.
C) situational model.
D) unambiguous level.

Accepted Answer

Kintsch's propositional level deals with the meaning of the sentence, which includes the actions and relationships described. "Gina is going to buy a dress" describes an action performed by Gina, therefore it corresponds to the propositional level.

Question 9

Loftus and Zanni (1975)had participants watch a film of an automobile accident.They found that participants were more likely to report a broken headlight when asked:
A) "Did you see a broken headlight?"
B) "Did you see her broken headlight?"
C) "Did you see his broken headlight?"
D) "Did you see the broken headlight?"

Accepted Answer

This question is asking about the effects of leading questions, where the wording of the question can influence the participant's memory. Option D is the best choice because it does not provide any specific details about who the headlight belongs to, whereas options A, B, and C suggest ownership. This leads to a more broad and unbiased question, decreasing the likelihood of suggestibility in the participant's response.

Question 10

Given "The splinter was removed quickly.Shelly liked the new tweezers," the sentence "Shelly's mom removed the splinter" is an example of a(n):
A) direct statement.
B) backward inference.
C) bridging inference.
D) elaborative inference.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Given "The splinter was removed quickly.Shelly liked...

Question 11

A _____ model consists of the major points of the story.
A) propositional
B) situation
C) story
D) surface

Accepted Answer

The answer of A _____ model consists of the major...

Question 12

According to the interactive processing position,semantics and syntax are combined:
A) at all levels of processing.
B) at the lower levels of processing.
C) at the higher levels of processing.
D) during the initial phase of language processing.

Accepted Answer

The interactive processing position posits that semantics (meaning) and syntax (structural rules) are integrated at all levels of language processing, not just at higher or lower levels, or during initial phases. This approach suggests a more dynamic and interconnected model of language understanding.

Question 13

_____ is one in which a listener connects a current utterance to preceeding utterances.
A) A direct statement
B) A bridging inference
C) An elaborative inference
D) A forward inference

Accepted Answer

A bridging inference is when a listener connects a current utterance to preceding utterances in order to create a coherent meaning. This allows the listener to fill in any informational gaps and understand the context of the conversation. Direct statements, elaborative inferences, and forward inferences do not specifically involve connecting a current utterance to preceding utterances.

Question 14

Comprehenders consider:
A) only one candidate for the referent of a pronoun.
B) multiple candidates for the referent of a pronoun and use semantic cues to select a referent.
C) multiple candidates for the referent of a pronoun and use syntactic cues to select a referent.
D) multiple candidates for the referent of a pronoun and use semantic and syntactic cues to select a referent.

Accepted Answer

Comprehenders consider multiple candidates for the referent of a pronoun and use both semantic (meaning-based) and syntactic (grammar-based) cues to select the most appropriate referent. Therefore, option D, which takes into account both semantic and syntactic cues, is the best choice.

Question 15

Comprehenders process a negative by:
A) first processing the negation,then the embedded supposition,and then the negation again.
B) first processing its negation and then the embedded supposition.
C) first processing its embedded supposition and then the negation.
D) processing the embedded supposition and the negation together.

Accepted Answer

Comprehenders first process the embedded supposition, or the idea being negated, and then process the negation itself. This allows for a more efficient and accurate understanding of the negative statement. Choice A is incorrect because it suggests that the negation is processed twice, which is not necessary. Choice B is incorrect because it suggests that the negation is processed before the embedded supposition, which can lead to confusion or misunderstanding. Choice D is incorrect because it suggests that the two components are processed simultaneously, which is unlikely to be the case.

Question 16

Describe each stage of language comprehension.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe each stage of language comprehension....

Question 17

Unambiguous sentences result in _____ activiation of Broca's area (compared with ambiguous sentences).
A) greater
B) less
C) equal
D) no

Accepted Answer

Unambiguous sentences result in less activation of Broca's area compared with ambiguous sentences because they require less cognitive effort and processing for comprehension. Ambiguous sentences demand more neural resources for interpretation, thus increasing activity in Broca's area, which is involved in language processing and comprehension.

Question 18

_____ is one in which a listener integrates a current utterance with his own world knowledge.
A) A direct statement
B) A backward inference
C) A bridging inference
D) An elaborative inference

Accepted Answer

The answer of _____ is one in which a listener...

Question 19

Given "The splinter was removed quickly.Shelly's mom used new tweezers," the sentence "Shelly's mom removed the splinter" is an example of a(n):
A) direct statement.
B) bridging inference.
C) elaborative inference.
D) forward inference.

Accepted Answer

Bridging inference is correct because it requires the reader to connect information from two sentences to understand that Shelly's mom removed the splinter using the new tweezers.

Question 20

The presentation of an ambiguous word,such as bank:
A) immediately activates the more common meaning of the word.
B) immediately activates the less common meaning of the word.
C) immediately activates both meanings of the word.
D) activates neither meaning of the word.Meaning is selected only after context is provided.

Accepted Answer

When presented with an ambiguous word such as "bank," research suggests that both meanings of the word are immediately activated in the brain. It is only after further context is provided that one meaning becomes more prominent and ultimately selected as the intended meaning.

Quiz 13: Language Comprehension

Loftus and Zanni (1975) found that:

_____ are made automatically.

According to the modularity position:

It is optional whether people will make:

Gina is looking at the bus schedule.She needs to go to the mall to buy a dress to wear to the prom.The sentence "Gina is looking at the bus schedule" corresponds to Kintsch's:

When an ambiguous word is presented,readers select a meaning within:

Gina is looking at the bus schedule.She needs to go to the mall to buy a dress to wear to the prom.The sentence "Gina is going to take the bus to the mall" corresponds to Kintsch's:

Gina is looking at the bus schedule.She needs to go to the mall to buy a dress to wear to the prom.The sentence "Gina is going to buy a dress" corresponds to Kintsch's:

Loftus and Zanni (1975) had participants watch a film of an automobile accident.They found that participants were more likely to report a broken headlight when asked:

Given "The splinter was removed quickly.Shelly liked the new tweezers," the sentence "Shelly's mom removed the splinter" is an example of a(n) :

A _____ model consists of the major points of the story.

According to the interactive processing position,semantics and syntax are combined:

_____ is one in which a listener connects a current utterance to preceeding utterances.

Comprehenders consider:

Comprehenders process a negative by:

Describe each stage of language comprehension.

Unambiguous sentences result in _____ activiation of Broca's area (compared with ambiguous sentences) .

_____ is one in which a listener integrates a current utterance with his own world knowledge.

Given "The splinter was removed quickly.Shelly's mom used new tweezers," the sentence "Shelly's mom removed the splinter" is an example of a(n) :

The presentation of an ambiguous word,such as bank: