Question 1

Which of the following is an example of how pitch is used in the English language?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pitch rises at the beginning of a sentence that is a question. 
B)  Pitch rises at the end of a sentence that is a question. 
C)  Pitch falls at the end of a sentence that is a question. 
D)  Pitch falls at the beginning of a sentence that is a question.

Question 2

What are phonemes?

Accepted Answer

A)  sound segments such as /t/, /m/, or /e/ 
B)  prefixes such as pre-, un-, or sub- 
C)  letters such as A, B, or C 
D)  dialects such as regional, social, and ethnic

Question 3

Why is contrastive analysis a nonproductive teaching methodology?

Accepted Answer

A)  There is no evidence that learners will find phonemic differences between languages to be difficult. 
B)  There are only slight phonemic differences across all languages, and these do not need to be taught. 
C)  There are some phonemic differences between the English language and other languages that learners will find impossible to learn. 
D)  Phonemic differences are irrelevant to the construction of correct words, phrases, and sentences.

Question 4

What is metalinguistic knowledge?

Accepted Answer

A)  knowing how languages differ across countries 
B)  having the vocabulary to talk about grammar 
C)  understanding the functions of linguistics 
D)  using syntax correctly across different contexts

Question 5

Prosody is the:

Accepted Answer

A)  way language is constructed 
B)  underlying rhythm of language 
C)  informal or formal way people speak 
D)  changes in language over the years

Question 6

What are some examples of language functions? Identify and explain at least three examples.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are some examples of language functions?...

Question 7

What are some ways in which syntax can be taught explicitly? Give at least two examples of activities that would meet this objective.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are some ways in which syntax...

Question 8

How can language create equality and inequality? Give at least one example for each.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can language create equality and inequality?...

Question 9

Semantics is the study of:

Accepted Answer

A)  meanings of words, phrases, and sentences 
B)  formation of words, phrases, and sentences 
C)  sounds of words, phrases, and sentences 
D)  syntax of words, phrases, and sentences

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of a pragmatic communication skill?

Accepted Answer

A)  the ability to pronounce words correctly 
B)  having word knowledge in spoken and written form 
C)  producing speech sounds in oral discourse 
D)  the ability to adapt language according to context

Question 11

What are examples of academic language functions?

Accepted Answer

A)  listening, speaking, reading, writing 
B)  comparing, describing, proving, debating 
C)  morphemes, phonemes, affixes, clipping 
D)  pair work, group work, class work, individual work

Question 12

Morphology is the study of:

Accepted Answer

A)  meaning units in language 
B)  semantic units in language 
C)  syllable units in language 
D)  word units in language

Question 13

Pragmatics is the study of:

Accepted Answer

A)  accents and dialects 
B)  nonverbal communication 
C)  language teaching 
D)  communication in context

Question 14

Why should teachers avoid the exclusive use of Standard English in the classroom?

Accepted Answer

A)  Not all students want to learn English, so teachers shouldn't attempt to teach it to unwilling learners. 
B)  The unique voice of students is lost if teachers always insist on correct usage and do not appreciate the varieties of language. 
C)  Standard English is spoken only by native English speakers, so it is inappropriate to teach it to English learners. 
D)  The dialects of students are too varied to be able to teach one form of English in the classroom.

Question 15

What is an example of a semantic shift?

Accepted Answer

A)  the disappearance of the second-person inflection 
B)  stress on a word alters the meaning of a sentence 
C)  switching from informal to formal register 
D)  a tone language using the pitch of syllables to contrast meaning

Exam 2: Language Structure and Use