Chapter 10: Language and Education
1. How many of the following (“d,” “da,” “dada,” “daddy”) are phonemes?
a.
1
b.
2
c.
3
d.
4
2. _____ are the basic units of meaning in a language.
a.
Phonemes
b.
Syntax
c.
Morphemes
d.
Intonation
3. Which word consists of three morphemes?
a.
b.
c.
d.
4. The semantic rules for forming sentences are referred to as
a.
phonology.
b.
prosody.
c.
syntax.
d.
pragmatics.
5. When Jasmine says, “That song makes me blue.” Her friend Rice says, “You don’t look like a different color to me.”
Rice’s failure to understand that in certain context the word “blue” in English means depressed illustrates a lack of _____
understanding.
a.
morpheme
b.
syntactic
c.
prosody
d.
semantic
6. Which linguistic concept is best defined as an understanding of the rules concerning the appropriate use of language in
different social context?
a.
Prosody
b.
Pragmatics
c.
Holophrasing
d.
Syntax
7. Which aspect of speech involves the melody, intonation, or timing of a word production?
a.
Semantics
b.
Prosody
c.
Syntax
d.
Morphology
8. Six-week-old Beck is lying in his crib and making a melodic sound that might be described as an “eeeeee.” What is
Beck doing?
a.
babbling.
b.
telegraphing.
c.
cooing.
d.
holophrasing.
9. Six-month-old Emir is sitting in his car seat and repeatedly saying “na-na-na-na.” What is Emir doing?
a.
babbling.
b.
telegraphing
c.
cooing.
d.
holophrasing.
10. Which statement is true?
a.
At five months of age, deaf and hearing children from all cultures make similar sounds.
b.
At five months of age, deaf and hearing children produce very different sounds.
c.
At five months of age, children from different cultures produce very different sounds.
d.
At five months of age, deaf children produce no sounds while hearing children
produce many sounds.
11. One-year-old Daniel’s ability to learn the meaning of words has been greatly enhanced by the fact that his dad, Leo,
often points and repeatedly names objects that are around him. Leo’s teaching style best reflects the process of
a.
intonation.
b.
vocabulary spurt.
c.
joint attention.
d.
decontextualized language.
12. When using syntactic bootstrapping, a child
a.
uses a word’s placement in a sentence to help determine its meaning.
b.
generates a one-word utterance that has the meaning of a full sentence.
c.
uses a grammar rule in an inappropriate manner.
d.
is able to immediately connect a word in one language to its counterpart in a second language.
13. Nadine’s father says, “Look at that ferret with that man.” She has never before heard the term “ferret,” but based on its
placement in her dad’s statement, she is sure that it refers to the animal the man has on a leash. Nadine’s ability to
ascertain the meaning of the word “ferret” was accomplished using
a.
overextension.
b.
syntactic bootstrapping.
c.
telegraphic speech.
d.
emergent literacy.
14. Which is the typical order of linguistic attainment (from earliest to latest)?
a.
Coo, then babble, then holophrase, then telegraphic speech
b.
Babble, then coo, then holophrase, then telegraphic speech
c.
Coo, then babble, then telegraphic speech, then holophrase
d.
Babble, then coo, then telegraphic speech, then holophrase
15. In a holophrase,
a.
a single word conveys the meaning of an entire sentence.
b.
the same word is used for many objects in an environment.
c.
an infant makes vocalizations consisting only of vowel sounds.
d.
a vocalization is produced, but it has no meaning.
16. Joel reaches up to Daddy with waving outstretched arms and says “Up!” meaning “Daddy, pick me up!” This is an
example of
a.
underextension.
b.
echolalia.
c.
a holophrase.
d.
babbling.
17. Linguistic overextension occurs when a person
a.
uses the same word to describe too wide a range of objects.
b.
initially learns all the letters of the alphabet.
c.
cannot understand the relationship between the sound for a word and the object it represents.
d.
uses many words to describe a single object.
18. Two-year-old Tracy calls every four-wheeled vehicle she sees “truck.” This is an example of
a.
overextension.
b.
overregularization.
c.
telegraphic speech.
d.
social speech.
19. Though 18-month-old Yolanda knows the word “car,” she only uses it when referring to her mother’s sedan, not any
other vehicle. Yolanda’s linguistic limitation is best described as involving
a.
underextension.
b.
overregularization.
c.
telegraphic speech.
d.
overextension.
20. Over- and underextension are best associated with _____ errors.
a.
phonological
b.
morphological
c.
syntax
d.
semantic
21. When a person speaks using several critical content words but does not actually use full sentences, he or she is said to
be engaging in
a.
underextension.
b.
telegraphic speech.
c.
babbling.
d.
joint attention.
22. Functional grammar emphasizes the _____ relations between words.
a.
semantic
b.
morphological
c.
phonological
d.
intonation
23. Logan has just realized that the phrase “daddy run” can mean both “daddy is going for a run” and “can I go for a run
with daddy.” This realization best illustrates the acquisition of
a.
overregulation.
b.
functional grammar.
c.
metalinguistic awareness.
d.
child-directed speech.
24. Rachel stubs her toe and says “Ouch! I hurted myself!” This is an example of
a.
animism.
b.
metacognition.
c.
overregularization.
d.
overextension.
25. Juan has just developed the ability to convert a declarative sentence (e.g., “I like pizza”) into both a question (e.g.,
“Do I like eating pizza?”) and an imperative (e.g., “I must eat pizza!”). This would indicate that Juan now is aware of
a.
overregulation.
b.
functional grammar.
c.
overextension.
d.
transformational grammar.
26. Sarah is just starting first grade. How many words will she draw on to communicate with friends and teachers?
a.
15,000
b.
1,000
c.
5,000
d.
10,000
27. Older adults experience all of the following changes in language EXCEPT that
a.
they use less complex sentences than younger adults do.
b.
they show refinements in the pragmatic use of language.
c.
their knowledge of semantics increases.
d.
their knowledge of grammar decreases.
28. Concerning language, Broca’s area is to Wernicke’s area as
a.
visual is to auditory.
b.
production is to comprehension.
c.
syntax is to semantics.
d.
left hemisphere is to right hemisphere.
29. Researchers have shown that individuals who are better able to learn new words show more connectivity between their
left and right
a.
supramarginal gyrus.
b.
pons.
c.
adrenal medulla.
d.
reticular formation.
30. Carter has been diagnosed with aphasia. What symptom is he most likely exhibiting?
a.
Difficulty in maintaining his balance
b.
Difficulty in retrieving an autobiographical memory
c.
Difficulty in repeating a sentence he just heard
d.
Difficulty in scoring above average on an IQ test
31. What is the best summary of implications of neurobiological research on language?
a.
Language acquisition is impacted solely by heredity factors.
b.
Language acquisition is impacted by both heredity and environmental factors.
c.
Language acquisition is impacted solely by environmental factors.
d.
The genetic factors which underlie language acquisition cannot be identified.
32. Tyler argues that language is best explained in terms of a baby imitating the speech of her parents and being
reinforced by parents for speaking words properly. These arguments best fit with the _____ perspective on language
acquisition.
a.
constructivist
b.
learning
c.
humanist
d.
cognitive
33. Which best reflects the nurture-based research on language acquisition?
a.
Children only learn words that are directly spoken to them.
b.
Reinforcing a word does not increase the odds that a word will be learned.
c.
Frequent caregiver conversation involving questions encourages language development in children.
d.
Aphasia may be related to damage of arcuate fasciculus fibers.
34. With regard to language learning, nativists believe that
a.
language is learned as a result of differential parental reinforcement.
b.
children learn language by listening, observing, and imitating.
c.
children are biologically programmed for language acquisition.
d.
the social environment plays the most critical role in language learning.
35. Universal grammar is best described as
a.
a list of the manner in which all words should be pronounced.
b.
the biological factor that limits the specific language a newborn will acquire.
c.
the belief that there are an unlimited number of possibilities for forming language.
d.
a system of common rules and properties for learning any of the world’s languages.
36. Which statement about the language acquisition device is FALSE?
a.
It is activated by exposure to language.
b.
It determines the language an infant speaks.
c.
It involves specific areas of the brain.
d.
It helps a child learn the specific language to which he or she is exposed.
37. Which finding would be most difficult to explain from the nativist perspective of language acquisition?
a.
The human brain contains areas that appear to be specifically designed to process language.
b.
Children progress through the same sequence in acquiring language skills and at roughly the same ages.
c.
Children exhibit remarkable cultural differences in early language learning.
d.
Overregularization and other characteristics of early language appear to be universal phenomena.
38. Which of the following is evidence for a critical period for language acquisition?
a.
Children denied access to language often have difficulty mastering language skills in later life.
b.
Deaf children who never hear language can learn to speak.
c.
Adults are more likely to acquire multiple languages than are children.
d.
Children do not acquire large vocabularies until they learn to read.
39. When describing his ideas on language acquisition, Harlan says, “I believe that humans have a natural biological
predisposition toward language and that the environment that the child is raised in also impacts the development of
language skills.” Given this description, Harlan appears to hold a(n) _____ perspective concerning the acquisition of
language.
a.
nativist
b.
interactionist
c.
learning
d.
psychodynamic
40. When Samira is talking to her infant son, Sanjay, she tends to use a more high-pitched voice, slow speech, and short
simple sentences. Samira’s speech would best be described as
a.
telegraphic.
b.
holophrastic.
c.
child-directed.
d.
underextended.
41. When someone is speaking to three-month-old Donte, which of the following styles will most likely capture his
attention?
a.
low-pitch sounds and nonvaried intonation
b.
low-pitch sounds and varied intonation
c.
high-pitch sounds and nonvaried intonation
d.
high-pitch sounds and varied intonation
42. When her toddler holds her cup up and says, “Milk,” her mother says, “You’re ready for more milk.” The mother’s
response is best described as an example of
a.
expansion.
b.
holophrastic speech.
c.
child-directed speech.
d.
babbling.
43. The intrinsic drive to be successful in one’s environment defines
a.
mastery motivation.
b.
external motivation.
c.
learned helplessness.
d.
metalinguistic awareness.
44. Which example best illustrates mastery motivation?
a.
Terrell’s innate ability to understand phonemes
b.
Vuong’s innate drive to succeed
c.
George’s parents’ rewards for his academic success
d.
Marta’s extremely large vocabulary
45. Research has shown that children in preschools with very strong academic orientations tend to be less _____ by the
end of their kindergarten year.
a.
anxious
b.
creative
c.
negative toward schooling
d.
intelligent
46. Lakesha believes that her abilities and talents are malleable, and that if she works hard enough she will be able to
improve her grades. What type of mindset does Lakesha have?
a.
fixed
b.
growth
c.
internal
d.
external
47. Belmont has a high degree of mastery motivation. On his first psychology test, he scores 52 out of 100 (an “F”). What
is his most likely reaction?
a.
He blames himself for being stupid.
b.
He blames himself for not studying.
c.
He blames the instructor for writing such a hard test.
d.
He doesn’t care about his level of performance.
48. When attempting to learn to play football, Javier has great difficulty in throwing the odd-shaped ball. After several
bad passes, he decides that he has no talent for football and will never be any good at it. Javier’s behavior provides an
example of _____ goals.
a.
performance
b.
mastery
c.
internal
d.
external
49. Which statement would indicate that Justin has adopted mastery goals concerning playing the guitar?
a.
“The key is to play better than my friend Danielle.”
b.
“If I can’t learn to play, then I am a loser.”
c.
“If I practice, I will get better.”
d.
“Music is an innate talent.”
50. The key motivation for someone with a strong sense of performance goals is to
a.
significantly improve his or her performance.
b.
process information as deeply as possible.
c.
feel value from the learning process.
d.
be seen as smart and not dumb.
51. If Fadia wants to help her son Khalid develop a mastery motivation orientation, she should
a.
de-emphasize the importance of self-reliance.
b.
encourage him to do things well.
c.
try to not offer guidance.
d.
praise him lavishly for his accomplishments even if the performance is actually very poor.
52. Angie doesn’t seem to even want to try to do well in her high school math class. If her mom Karen wants to help
change her self-defeating pattern of behavior, Karen should
a.
provide a cognitively stimulating home environment.
b.
tell Angie her failures have just been due to bad luck.
c.
offer her a monetary reward if her grades improve.
d.
continually pressure her about her poor grades.
53. An effective method for a school to positively influence motivation is to
a.
stress competition concerning class grades.
b.
discourage parental involvement, making children respond on their own.
c.
emphasize intrinsic motivation techniques.
d.
avoid adopting learning goals.