Chapter 4
Verbal Messages
Multiple Choice Questions
1. _______ is a system of symbols used by people to communicate.
2. A dialect is ______
3. 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)
______
4. “A compound sentence has two independent clauses,” is an example of ______
5. 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 _______
6. The fact that many English words were once part of other languages before being absorbed
into our lexicon demonstrates what characteristic of language?
7. The importance of understanding personal assumptions behind a word is
_______
8. Ashley says, “The porch light was shining like the North Star.” This is an example of _______
9. ________ language clarify semantic meaning by appealing to the senses.
10. “I think the Reds are the best team in the NL Central if not the entire MLB,” displays what type
of language?
11. Which of the following statements are true of a low-context culture?
12. If we are practicing linguistic sensitivity, we use ______
language.
13. Which of these statements is an example of using inclusive language?
14. Which of the following is competent advice for being linguistically sensitive?
15. Saying “three–bedroom ranch” instead of “house” is a matter of word ______
16. 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.”
17. If instead of saying “The car was wrecked” you say, “The left fender was busted by a hit-and–
run driver,” you are using ______
18. Which pragmatic guideline should we pay most attention to when having a conversation about
getting a project completed?
19. Which statement is best identified as an “idiom”?
20. Which of these should you not do when you find yourself in a conversation with someone from
a different sociolinguistic background?
21. Which statement best provides the right amount of information?
True/False Questions
1. We use language to assign, label, define, and limit.
2. Denotative meanings reflect our emotions and experiences, whereas connotative meanings
depict the dictionary definition.
3. Concrete words are sense-related. We use concrete words to describe what we can see, smell,
touch, hear, or taste. (p. 63)
4. A dialect is a localized and inferior version of a more general language.
5. Pragmatic meaning comes from understanding a message related to the context.
6. Social norms should not affect the meanings of words.
Essay Questions
1. 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.
2. 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.”
3. 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?
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