Deck 4: Language

Question 1

A collection of symbols governed by rules and used to convey messages between individuals is referred to in the chapter as

A) syntax.
B) language.
C) phonological rules.
D) writing.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Arbitrary constructions that represent a communicator's thoughts are referred to in the chapter as

A) syntactic rules.
B) communication.
C) phonological rules.
D) symbols.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The rules that govern how words sound when they are pronounced are called _______ rules.

A) syntactic
B) semantic
C) phonological
D) pragmatic

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The rules that deal with the meaning of specific words are called _______ rules.

A) syntactic
B) semantic
C) phonological
D) pragmatic

Question 5

The rules that govern the structure of language-the way symbols should be arranged-are known as _______ rules.

A) syntactic
B) semantic
C) phonological
D) pragmatic

Question 6

The rules that govern how people use and understand language in everyday interactions are known as _______ rules.

A) syntactic
B) semantic
C) phonological
D) pragmatic

Question 7

What rules make it possible for us to agree that "eagles" fly and "beagles" bark?

A) Syntactic rules
B) Semantic rules
C) Phonological rules
D) Pragmatic rules

Question 8

Even though people from France and the United States spell the word "champagne" the same, Jean from France says it differently than Thomas from the United States. Which rules explain why?

A) Syntactic rules
B) Semantic rules
C) Phonological rules
D) Pragmatic rules

Question 9

Which rules help explain the mistakes in the following sentence: "Going you the to tonight game are."?

A) Syntactic rules
B) Semantic rules
C) Phonological rules
D) Pragmatic rules

Question 10

A 45-year-old man tells a teenage girl (to whom he is not related) she looks pretty. Which rules explain why this might be an awkward situation?

A) Syntactic rules
B) Semantic rules
C) Phonological rules
D) Pragmatic rules

Question 11

Which of the following sentences best represents that meanings are in people, not in words?

A) Some people understand the real meanings of words.
B) It's safe to assume all people use words the same way you do.
C) The meanings people associate with words have far more significance than do their dictionary definitions.
D) Successful communication occurs only when we let others know the true meaning of words.

Question 12

Statement A: "Woman bites dog." Statement B: "Dog bites woman." Statements A and B consist of the same words but have different meanings due to which rule of language?

A) Syntactic
B) Phonological
C) Pragmatic
D) Semantic

Question 13

Annie is going to present a present to her friend Janice at her going-away ceremony at work. She texts Janice to confirm she is coming. She texts, "R U coming 2 the ceremony?" The ceremony will be held in the conference room. The conference room door says, "Employees Only." Which part of this description best represents the importance of phonological rules?

A) Annie is going to present a present to her friend Janice.
B) She texts Janice to confirm she is coming.
C) She texts, "R U coming 2 the ceremony?"
D) The conference room door says, "Employees Only."

Question 14

Annie is going to present a present to her friend Janice at her going-away ceremony at work. She texts Janice to confirm she is coming. She texts, "R U coming 2 the ceremony?" The ceremony will be help in the conference room. The conference room door says, "Employees Only." Which part of this description best represents syntactic rules?

A) Annie is going to present a present to her friend Janice.
B) She texts Janice to confirm she is coming.
C) She texts, "R U coming 2 the ceremony?"
D) The conference room door says "Employees Only."

Question 15

When her professor hands back her exam and says, "Meet me in my office after class. We need to talk," Tina's stomach lurches, a reaction influenced by which rule of language?

A) Phonological
B) Syntactic
C) Semantic
D) Pragmatic

Question 16

Which of the following statements is false?

A) Language is governed by rules.
B) Denotative meaning involves thoughts and feelings associated with words.
C) Denotative meanings are formally recognized definitions of a term.
D) Not all linguistic symbols are spoken or written words.

Question 17

Close friends and lovers often develop special terms that serve as a way of signifying their relationship. Using the same vocabulary sets these people apart from others, reminding themselves and the rest of the world of their relationship. This is referred to as

A) equivocation.
B) responsibility.
C) divergence.
D) convergence.

Question 18

Communicators who want to set themselves apart from others adopt the strategy of

A) equivocation.
B) responsibility.
C) divergence.
D) convergence.

Question 19

A person's name, usage of powerful and powerless speech, affiliative language, and _______ are all specific determinants that show how much language matters.

A) accent
B) attitudes
C) equivocation
D) intelligence

Question 20

Robert named his first male child Robert Jr. Based on research into names, we can conclude that naming his baby after himself may help to

A) create a connection between father and son.
B) foster a sense of cultural identity.
C) facilitate discrimination in future employment decisions.
D) encourage the son to follow in his father's footsteps.

Question 21

Research has demonstrated that _______ are more than just a simple means of identification: They can shape the way that we view ourselves and how others treat us.

A) names
B) words
C) languages
D) genetics

Question 22

The statement "Um, I hate to ask, but can I borrow your pen perhaps?" is an example of

A) powerless language.
B) powerful language.
C) strong dialect.
D) weak dialect.

Question 23

Lt. Charles just joined the air force. She notices that the people she works with seem to have a way of speaking that is different than other groups she has observed. They use certain words that they all seem to understand. They are tight knit. She starts to use such language in an attempt to become closer to the group. What best explains her actions?

A) Powerless language
B) Powerful language
C) Convergence
D) Divergence

Question 24

An _______ involves pronunciation perceived as different from the local speech style.

A) affiliation
B) elocution
C) accent
D) expression

Question 25

When speaking to her professor Samantha uses words that her professor commonly uses. When speaking to her undergraduate students, Samantha uses technical words that are specific to her graduate studies. How are these instances similar?

A) They both use powerless language.
B) They both use powerful language.
C) They both use eloquent language.
D) They both use affiliative language.

Question 26

Justin has a strong southern accent. He's speaking with his friend Jamarcus. Jamarcus thinks of Justin as a little less sophisticated because of his accent. They're discussing where to eat when Justin says, "It frustrates me when you always choose where we eat." Jamarcus responds, "I hate to make you feel that way, um, is there something I can do?" Which part of the description addresses status?

A) Jamarcus thinks of Justin as a little less sophisticated because of his accent.
B) Justin says, "It frustrates me when you always choose where we eat."
C) Jamarcus responds, "I hate to make you feel that way, um, is there something I can do?"
D) No part of the description addresses status.

Question 27

Which definition best fits the description of a dialect?

A) A version of a language which is less powerful
B) A version of a language with a distinctive pronunciation
C) A version of a language with its own distinctive words and meanings
D) A version of a language without a distinctive pronunciation

Question 28

Listeners who assume that particular accents are invariably proof of specific abilities and traits are exhibiting

A) status.
B) stereotypes.
C) affiliation.
D) divergence.

Question 29

A deliberately vague statement that can be interpreted in more than one way is referred to as

A) an inferential statement.
B) an equivocation.
C) a euphemism.
D) slang.

Question 30

The casual and continually changing language used by a group of people whose members belong to a similar coculture or other group is called

A) equivocation.
B) relative language.
C) slang.
D) jargon.

Question 31

The specialized, often enduring vocabulary that functions as a kind of shorthand for people with common backgrounds and experiences is called

A) equivocation.
B) relative language.
C) slang.
D) jargon.

Question 32

A pleasant term substituted for a more direct but potentially less pleasant one is referred to as

A) an inferential statement.
B) an equivocation.
C) a euphemism.
D) emotive language.

Question 33

Teaching kids to "go potty" instead of "go to the toilet" is an example of

A) an equivocal word.
B) a relative word.
C) a euphemism.
D) jargon.

Question 34

Which of the following statements is true?

A) Words are imprecise by nature.
B) Equivocal words are usually intentional.
C) Jargon has no benefits.
D) Euphemisms always make bad news easier to bear.

Question 35

The type of statement that cannot be proved or disproved is called a(n) _______ statement.

A) factual
B) opinion
C) inferential
D) false

Question 36

_______ contains words that sound as if they're describing something when they are really announcing the speaker's attitude toward something.

A) An inferential statement
B) An equivocation
C) A euphemism
D) Emotive language

Question 37

The leader of a political party says a rival political party is "irresponsible because they are destroying the livelihood of millions of Southwestern ranchers with their policies." An economist not affiliated with any political party cites data saying that the same ranchers "have sustained a 5 percent increase in taxes when purchasing feed." Which statement best describes how the two statements compare?

A) Both statements are most likely facts.
B) The first statement more likely uses evasive language and the second more likely uses emotive language.
C) The first statement more likely uses emotive language and the second is more likely a fact.
D) Both statements use evasive language.

Question 38

Fast or slow, small or large, smart or stupid, and short or long are examples of _______ words.

A) relative
B) slang
C) jargon
D) equivocal

Question 39

Bill is talking to Ted when Ted interrupts him. Bill responds to the interruption by saying, "You couldn't care less about anything I have to say!" This is an example of

A) fact.
B) opinion.
C) inference.
D) equivocation.

Question 40

Which of the following statements is correct?

A) Using uncivil language is a habit that cannot be changed.
B) Emotive statements are never opinions.
C) Words cannot really cause any damage.
D) Factual claims can be proved to be false.

Question 41

The CEO of a company tells her employees that "each department will be restructuring within the next six months." A department head in the same company tells employees that the department will sustain layoffs within the next six months. How do the statements compare?

A) The CEO is more emotionally responsible toward her employees, while the department head is harsh.
B) The CEO intentionally uses a vague term for "layoffs," while the department head is more direct.
C) The CEO intentionally uses a more ethically responsible term for "layoffs," while the department head is more direct.
D) Both statements are emotive.

Question 42

Kiley is the floor manager at a major retail outlet. She is in charge of 50 employees. She recently asked Bob to walk around and do a floor check. Bob doesn't like the request and complains to Carla. He says, "Kiley is always telling me what to do. She's got a real chip on her shoulder, doesn't she? She is just so bossy!" In place of his last sentence, what could Bob have said to express less emotive language?

A) "Kiley is unfairly targeting me."
B) "Kiley seems overconfident."
C) "Kiley is assertive."
D) "Kiley is just too witchy."

Question 43

Which of the following is a type of disruptive language?

A) Opinion statements
B) Jargon
C) Slang
D) Relative words

Question 44

Language that involves subtle, everyday messages that may or not be meant to stereotype or demean other people is categorized as

A) microresistant
B) slang
C) aggressive
D) microaggressive

Question 45

Which of the following statements would be considered an example of microaggression?

A) How long have you lived in the city?
B) Not being racist, but where are you really from?
C) Do you often come here for vacations?
D) How do things compare between here and back home?

Question 46

The prejudices and stereotypes that people have without being fully aware of them are referred to by the term _______ bias.

A) implicit
B) explicit
C) microresistant
D) attribution

Question 47

Which of the following statements about the way women and men communicate is true?

A) Women usually do most of the talking in professional settings.
B) When talking to other women, women tend to spend more time discussing recreational topics like technology and nightlife than men do among themselves.
C) Men and women speak roughly the same number of words per day.
D) Women seldom report talking about work, movies, and television.

Question 48

Research shows that the notion that men and women communicate in dramatically different ways is

A) correct.
B) understated.
C) exaggerated.
D) significant.

Question 49

Because in the U.S., women tend to use conversation to pursue _______ needs, female speech will often show support for the other person, demonstrate equality, ask questions, and keep the conversation going.

A) symbolic
B) understated
C) personal
D) social

Question 50

The difference in emotional expressiveness between men and women is rooted mostly in

A) personalities.
B) context.
C) directness.
D) feelings.

Question 51

Both men and women talk frequently about

A) personal problems.
B) sports, technology use, and nightlife.
C) family, friends, and emotions.
D) work, movies, and television.

Question 52

Which of the following statements best describes how men generally communicate among themselves?

A) They are more likely than women to discuss relational issues.
B) They are more likely than women to emphasize making conversation fun.
C) They are more likely than women to talk about feelings.
D) They are more likely than women to discuss sports, technology use, and nightlife.

Question 53

Which of the following statements best generalizes women's conversational style with other women?

A) They are more likely than men to discuss relational issues.
B) They are more likely to use sympathy and empathy in conversations.
C) They talk more than men.
D) They are more competitive than men in conversation.

Question 54

Which statement about communication associated with popular dating apps is true?

A) Young women are more likely to focus on the appearance of potential partners.
B) Young men are more likely to focus on the appearance of potential partners.
C) Young women are less likely to ask about and share feelings.
D) Young men and young women are equally likely to ask about and share feelings.

Question 55

As neither characteristically masculine nor feminine styles of speech meet all communication needs, what does the text suggest for improving linguistic competence?

A) Use a female style of speech.
B) Choose one style and stick to it.
C) Switch and combine styles.
D) Use a male style of speech.

Question 56

Jared tends to focus on solving problems and accomplishing tasks when speaking. This is known as a(n) _______ use of language.

A) feminine
B) convergent
C) affective
D) instrumental

Question 57

Language that tends to focus on emotions is characterized as

A) affiliative.
B) affective.
C) effective.
D) undifferentiated.

Question 58

The tendency of many men to respond to their friends' problems by giving them advice indicates the _______ character of conventionally masculine communication patterns.

A) instrumental
B) powerful
C) affective
D) divergent

Question 59

Which rules, discussed in the chapter, is language governed by?

Question 60

What factors are listed in the textbook as determining why language-use is so important in communication?

Question 61

What are equivocal words?

Question 62

Name the four main reasons for misunderstandings described in the chapter.

Question 63

Name four ways to avoid disruptive language.

Question 64

What are the eight recommendations discussed in the chapter for countering the harmful effects of microaggressive language?

Question 65

Describe the elements that make up the nature of language.

Question 66

Distinguish between phonological, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic rules. Provide an example of each.

Question 67

Explain how language can shape attitudes.

Question 68

Provide advice for avoiding misunderstandings. Discuss at least three of the suggestions provided in the text.

Question 69

Discuss some similarities and differences in the ways men and women use language.