Question 1

A line that marks a boundary in space of common word usage is known as a:

Accepted Answer

A)   threshold.
B)   perimeter.
C)   dialect.
D)   isologloss.
E)   frontier. D

Question 2

A language that is used to facilitate trade or business between people who speak different languages is a lingua franca.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

Many African countries along with India and Pakistan have linguistic diversity index scores of over .75. This means that:

Accepted Answer

A)   there is a high likelihood that two randomly selected residents could not speak to each other.
B)   more than 75% of the people speak the standard dialect.
C)   creolization has occurred.
D)   there are relatively few languages used in the country.
E)   more than one language family is present in the country. A

Question 4

In looking for the origin of a language family, geographers commonly find:

Accepted Answer

A)   that the original language is still used in some remote areas.
B)   they must guess at the hearth area since language development happened so long ago.
C)   ancient documents explain the development of language families.
D)   most language families show limited diffusion because few people migrated in the past.
E)   most language families are very spatially compact.

Question 5

People want to change place names because of the powerful statement the name of a place makes about identity and political power.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

The hearth of Indo-European languages is in northern Europe.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Currently, a majority of the 6000 languages used in the world have less than 10,000 native speakers.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

While ski, karaoke, hammock, and cruise are considered English words today, they are actually loanwords.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

In the United States today, dialects of English have largely disappeared because of television and movies.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

You have proposed changing the name of the street on which you live. What is likely to happen?

Accepted Answer

A)   Few will notice, since toponyms frequently change.
B)   Groups that identify with the current street name will likely object.
C)   Most people don't care about the name of their street.
D)   If the proposed name is proper and in standard dialect, it will be approved.
E)   New street names have to be introduced gradually.

Question 11

Which of the following is not a form of language?

Accepted Answer

A)   spoken language
B)   body language
C)   language family
D)   sign language
E)   tactile language

Question 12

The assortment of languages in a particular area is:

Accepted Answer

A)   language association.
B)   lingua franca.
C)   language assortment.
D)   linguistic diffusion.
E)   linguistic diversity.

Question 13

An isogloss is a line that marks a boundary of word usage.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

A dead language is a language that:

Accepted Answer

A)   is not tied to a specific language branch.
B)   has only been spoken in large communities.
C)   is no longer taught to children by their parents.
D)   has no living speakers.
E)   has no known dialects.

Question 15

If the United States made English an official language, how would things be different?

Accepted Answer

A)   No change, since English is the official language of the United States
B)   No change, since everyone uses English already.
C)   Foreign language publications could no longer be sold in the United States.
D)   It would affect how people dealt with the government, but not in their homes.
E)   It would increase the linguistic diversity in the United States.

Question 16

A language that is no longer taught to children, either in the home or in school, is:

Accepted Answer

A)   a lingua franca
B)   an endangered language.
C)   an extinct language.
D)   a pidgin language.
E)   a creole language.

Question 17

A dialect is a variety of a language with a distinctive vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

All Americans who communicate in English speak with an accent.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

A standard dialect, such as standard Russian, is an example of an official language.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

African American English and Chicano English are:

Accepted Answer

A)   examples of widely used dialects in the United States.
B)   actually separate languages.
C)   disappearing in modern society.
D)   a variation of the southern dialect.
E)   now a part of the standard dialect of English.

Exam 4: Geographies of Language

A line that marks a boundary in space of common word usage is known as a:

A language that is used to facilitate trade or business between people who speak different languages is a lingua franca.

Many African countries along with India and Pakistan have linguistic diversity index scores of over .75. This means that:

In looking for the origin of a language family, geographers commonly find:

People want to change place names because of the powerful statement the name of a place makes about identity and political power.

The hearth of Indo-European languages is in northern Europe.

Currently, a majority of the 6000 languages used in the world have less than 10,000 native speakers.

While ski, karaoke, hammock, and cruise are considered English words today, they are actually loanwords.

In the United States today, dialects of English have largely disappeared because of television and movies.

You have proposed changing the name of the street on which you live. What is likely to happen?

Which of the following is not a form of language?

The assortment of languages in a particular area is:

An isogloss is a line that marks a boundary of word usage.

A dead language is a language that:

If the United States made English an official language, how would things be different?

A language that is no longer taught to children, either in the home or in school, is:

A dialect is a variety of a language with a distinctive vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

All Americans who communicate in English speak with an accent.

A standard dialect, such as standard Russian, is an example of an official language.

African American English and Chicano English are: