Linguistics 2 Trivia Quiz

This is just some more information that you can pick up in a basic Linguistics course.

A multiple-choice quiz by ladymacb29. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
ladymacb29

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
69,542

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
6388

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 104 (7/10), Andreapopescu (10/10), Guest 128 (9/10).

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. A dialect of a language which is 'elevated' above others is called: Hint

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2. Which of the following does not generally affect the register or style when speaking in English? Hint

gender

social status

conversational partner

context

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3. Which of the following is not associated with 'Parentese' (how an adult talks to a child)? Hint

long, complex sentences

exaggerated intonation

high pitch

yes or no questions

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4. Which of the following is not associated with 'Teacher Talk'? Hint

evaluative comments

lots of chances for others to talk

more formal vocabulary

teacher, but not student, allowed to interrupt

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5. A speaker will speak more slowly when in a formal setting.

True

False

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6. One would expect to see more Latin words in an informal setting.

True

False

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7. Double (or 'multiple') negation, in English, is a feature associated more with formal settings.

True

False

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8. A person with a higher social economic status (SES) could be expected to use more or less formal language than a person of a low SES?

Answer: (One word: less or more)

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9. Which of the following is NOT a reason to use less formal speech? Hint

Rebelling from traditional society.

Shows 'toughness'.

Trying to talk to a prospective boss.

Can relate to a person better.

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10. To which class in US society would a person like Bill Gates belong? Hint

Upper class

Corporate class

Upper middle class

Poor class

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. A dialect of a language which is 'elevated' above others is called:

Answer: standard

The standard is usually associated with the upper and middle classes and is generally the one used for print.

2. Which of the following does not generally affect the register or style when speaking in English?

Answer: gender

Register is 'style' in the sense of 'level of formality'. We use different registers depending on the context or situation. The way you talk to your friend isn't how you would talk to the President. (This meaning of 'style' has nothing to do with *individual* style or the style of a period or literary movement.)

3. Which of the following is not associated with 'Parentese' (how an adult talks to a child)?

Answer: long, complex sentences

Parentese is a lot of talk of shorter sentences with little silence (as the baby or small child can't really interrupt). Watch any adult with a baby and you'll see this in action.

4. Which of the following is not associated with 'Teacher Talk'?

Answer: lots of chances for others to talk

Teachers even use evaluative comments (example: 'very good') when not needed.

5. A speaker will speak more slowly when in a formal setting.

Answer: True

Speed also varies by context of the conversation.

6. One would expect to see more Latin words in an informal setting.

Answer: False

In formal settings, words tend to be longer, as well.

7. Double (or 'multiple') negation, in English, is a feature associated more with formal settings.

Answer: False

In English, double negation ('I don't have no money') is frowned upon.

8. A person with a higher social economic status (SES) could be expected to use more or less formal language than a person of a low SES?

Answer: more

The lower classes normally want to speak like the people in the higher SES. (This often does *not* apply to teenagers, who often regard their variety of speech as an important badge of group identity).

9. Which of the following is NOT a reason to use less formal speech?

Answer: Trying to talk to a prospective boss.

There are advantages to using informal speech even though it's sometimes stigmatized. However, when talking to a prospective boss, it's best to use more formal speech to help show intelligence or education.

10. To which class in US society would a person like Bill Gates belong?

Answer: Corporate class

He wouldn't belong to the upper class - that term refers to old and prestigious families who come from 'old money'. The corporate class is mainly made up of investors and high executives who control the major means of production. It is a recent addition to the traditional five layers of social class, ranking between the upper class and the upper middle class.

Source: Author ladymacb29

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ponycargirl before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Most Recent Scores

Mar 18 2023 : Guest 104: 7/10
Mar 12 2023 : Andreapopescu: 10/10
Feb 25 2023 : Guest 128: 9/10
Feb 24 2023 : Guest 141: 8/10
Feb 21 2023 : Guest 119: 3/10
Feb 10 2023 : Guest 98: 8/10
Feb 10 2023 : Guest 102: 6/10
Feb 09 2023 : Guest 5: 0/10
Feb 05 2023 : Guest 128: 10/10

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