Chapter 4Verbal Messages

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A speech community is ____

a. comprised of less than 10,000 speakers

b. a small group that speaks a common dialect

c. comprised of people within a single neighborhood

d. also known as a melting pot for language

2. For a word to have meaning, it must ____

a. be used in a complete sentence

b. have a literal connection to the thing it represents

c. be spelled correctly

d. stand for a particular object, idea, or feeling

3. To improve semantics, ____

a. use familiar language

b. arrange words in ways that both improve clarity and demonstrate respect

c. demonstrate linguistic sensitivity

d. do all of the above

4. The feelings and evaluations we associate with a word reflect its ____

a. literal meaning

b. connotative meaning

c. denotative meaning

d. less important than nonverbal messages

5. Each verbal language consists of a ____, a collection of words and expressions.

a. lexicon

b. phonology

c. syntax

d. language community

6. Every persons ____ is unique to him- or herself.

a. monolect

b. dialect

c. idiolect

d. persolect

7. If Mark says he has a new car and Paul thinks of an electric hybrid, Paul's thought reflects:

a. denotation

b. contextual integration

c. uncertainty reduction

d. connotation

8. At a party, Eddie said to Scott, Hey man, could you do me a solid and pass me those nachos? instead

of simply saying, Scottgive me the nachos. At the ____ level, this question appears to give Scott a

choice. At the ____ level, however, his message is the same.

a. pragmatic; semantic

b. semantic; pragmatic

c. connotative; denotative

d. denotative; connotative

9. A(n) ____ conveys a verbal message as well as what it implies about how the listener should respond.

a. direct verbal style

b. idiom

c. utterance

d. speech act

10. Which of the following statements are true about slang?

a. Slang is never appropriate communication.

b. Slang is primarily used by teenagers.

c. Slang should be used only when the meaning will be clear.

d. Slang is an example of vivid language.

11. Which of these statements is an example of using inclusive language?

a. "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

b. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

c. "Do you guys want to go to the store with me?"

d. "Each student should sign the honor pledge on his or her exam."

12. A language changes when ____

a. new words are invented

b. existing words are abandoned

c. aspects of multiple languages blend together

d. all of these

13. Which of the following phrases is an idiom?

a. "I have a temperature of 102 degrees."

b. "Im sick as a dog."

c. "Youd better not shake my hand."

d. "Ah-choo!"

14. Which of the following best exemplifies concrete language?

a. Janice is such a card, isnt she?

b. Janice has such a funny way about her.

c. Janices clothing choices are certainly unique!

d. Isnt it weird that Janice dresses like a 1920s socialite?

15. Saying "three-bedroom ranch" instead of "house" is a matter of word:

a. specificity

b. familiarity

c. concreteness

d. vividness

16. Using the word demanded instead of asked when you mean to show force of action is a matter of

word:

a. specificity

b. familiarity

c. concreteness

d. appropriateness

17. 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 ____ of the word "lizard."

a. concrete meaning

b. denotative meaning

c. connotative meaning

d. metaphoric meaning

18. If instead of saying "The car was wrecked" you say, "The left fender was dented by a hit-and-run

driver," you are using:

a. emphasis

b. appropriateness

c. specificity

d. concreteness

19. When John was showing his mom how to use her new smartphone, he walked her through it slowly,

using idioms and metaphors that she could understand without relying too heavily on jargon. John was

____

a. using specific language

b. using concrete language

c. using familiar language

d. using descriptive details

20. ____ is the practice of paying attention to what is happening at any given moment during a

conversation

a. indexing

b. mindfulness

c. separating fact from inference

d. evaluation

21. To improve your use of pragmatics in verbal messages, do all of the following except ____

a. acknowledge when your message violates a guideline

b. provide as much information as possible

c. relate what you said to the topic being discussed

d. assume the best first

TRUE/FALSE

1. We use language to label, compare, and define.

2. Denotative meanings reflect our emotions and experiences, whereas connotative meanings reflect the

dictionary definition.

3. Concrete words are sense-related. We use concrete words to describe what we can see, smell, touch,

hear, or taste.

4. When you have the choice between a more common vivid word or an obscure word, you should

choose the more obscure.

5. An indirect verbal style is characterized by language that openly states the speakers intention in a

straightforward and unambiguous way.

6. Jargon and slang are appropriate in most situations.

7. Sharing meaning can be difficult because language is arbitrary, abstract, and constantly changing.