Deck 4: Verbal Messages

Question 1

_______ is a system of symbols used by people to communicate.

A)Speech community
B)Utterance
C)Language
D)Grammar

Answer 1

C

Question 2

A dialect is ______.

A)a set of rules for combining words to form sentences
B)a sound used to pronounce words
C)a collection of words and expressions
D)a unique form of a more general language

Answer 2

D

Question 3

________ language clarify semantic meaning by appealing to the senses.

A)Specific
B)Familiar
C)Descriptive
D)Concrete

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The fact that many English words were once part of other languages before being absorbed into our lexicon demonstrates what characteristic of language?

A)language is abstract
B)language changes over time
C)language in arbitrary
D)all of the above

Question 5

Ashley says,"The porch light was shining like the North Star." This is an example of _______.

A)connotative language
B)a simile
C)a metaphor
D)parallel language

Question 6

The importance of understanding personal assumptions behind a word is _______.

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

Question 7

Which of the following is competent advice for being linguistically sensitive?

A)Use the most sophisticated language you know in all situations.
B)Use jargon sparingly.
C)Avoid ever using slang.
D)Use male-generic language.

Question 8

Which pragmatic guideline should we pay most attention to when having a conversation about getting a project completed?

A)providing the right amount of information
B)relating to the topic
C)acknowledging when you are violating a guideline
D)all of the above

Question 9

April and Josh are considering pursuing a future together and are discussing what their future plans may be.This use of language is best described as _______.

A)using language to label,define,and limit
B)using language to evaluate
C)using language to discuss things outside our immediate experience
D)using language to talk about language

Question 10

"I think the Reds are the best team in the NL Central if not the entire MLB," displays what type of language?

A)familiar
B)specific
C)concrete
D)descriptive

Question 11

"A compound sentence has two independent clauses," is an example of ______.

A)phonology
B)lexicon
C)dialect
D)syntax

Question 12

Which of these should you not do when you find yourself in a conversation with someone from a different sociolinguistic background?

A)practice mindfulness
B)respond as best you can based on the cues you are receiving
C)talk louder in case they didn't hear you properly
D)adapt to the tone of the speaker

Question 13

If we are practicing linguistic sensitivity,we use ______ language.

A)specific
B)inclusive
C)familiar
D)kind

Question 14

Which of the following statements are true of a low-context culture?

A)People are easier to get along with.
B)Information is presented directly.
C)People will use gestures and hand movements more than in a high-context culture.
D)Information is presented indirectly.

Question 15

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

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

Question 16

Which statement is best identified as an "idiom"?

A)"That was a fantastic movie."
B)"We should leave now to beat traffic."
C)"It was extremely hot yesterday."
D)"How are you feeling today?"

Question 17

When a group of friends have an "inside joke" that uses language others of their own language or speech community would not understand,they are using a(n)______.

A)idiolect
B)lexicon
C)dialect
D)abstract language

Question 18

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."

Question 19

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 _______ meaning of the word "lizard."

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

Question 20

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

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

Question 21

A dialect is a localized and inferior version of a more general language.

Question 22

In the Diverse Voices essay Raj Gaur discusses his struggles integrating Indian English into his American life.Have you spoken with an English speaker from another country,or even another part of this country,and had difficulty understanding their dialect? Should we embrace dialectical differences? Why or why not?

Question 23

What does it mean to you to practice mindfulness in conversation? Specifically identify a conversation you regularly have (for example the conversation you have with your significant other before you leave for work or school)and describe how you are or are not mindful in that conversation.

Question 24

Concrete words are sense-related.We use concrete words to describe what we can see,smell,touch,hear,or taste.(p.63)

Question 25

Social norms should not affect the meanings of words.

Question 26

We use language to assign,label,define,and limit.

Question 27

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

Question 28

Which statement best provides the right amount of information?

A)"It's down on the left,you can't miss it."
B)"If you're coming from downtown you'll see a billboard that is right next to the store."
C)"From here the tire shop is three blocks south,then take a left on 7th."
D)"I'm pretty sure it's just up the street a few blocks."

Question 29

Look up the word "awesome" in a standard dictionary.Discuss the difference between its primary denotative meaning and the connotative meaning you associate with the word "awesome."

Question 30

Pragmatic meaning comes from understanding a message related to the context.