Lexicography and Word Meaning

Description: This quiz assesses your understanding of lexicography and word meaning.
Number of Questions: 16
Created by:
Tags: lexicography word meaning semantics pragmatics
Attempted 0/16 Correct 0 Score 0

What is the primary purpose of a dictionary?

  1. To provide definitions for words

  2. To list all the words in a language

  3. To provide information about the etymology of words

  4. To provide information about the pronunciation of words


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The primary purpose of a dictionary is to provide definitions for words, helping users understand their meaning and usage.

Which of the following is NOT a type of dictionary?

  1. Monolingual dictionary

  2. Bilingual dictionary

  3. Historical dictionary

  4. Thesaurus


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A thesaurus is not a type of dictionary as it does not provide definitions for words, but rather lists synonyms and antonyms.

What is the term for the study of word meanings?

  1. Lexicology

  2. Lexicography

  3. Semantics

  4. Pragmatics


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Semantics is the study of word meanings and how they are used in language.

Which of the following is NOT a type of word meaning?

  1. Denotative meaning

  2. Connotative meaning

  3. Collocational meaning

  4. Grammatical meaning


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Grammatical meaning refers to the function of a word in a sentence, not its inherent meaning.

What is the term for the process of assigning a new meaning to a word?

  1. Neologism

  2. Semantic shift

  3. Euphemism

  4. Dysphemism


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Semantic shift refers to the change in meaning of a word over time.

Which of the following is an example of a neologism?

  1. Smartphone

  2. Computer

  3. Television

  4. Radio


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Smartphone is a relatively new word that was coined in the 21st century.

What is the term for a word that has multiple meanings?

  1. Homonym

  2. Synonym

  3. Antonym

  4. Polysemous word


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A polysemous word is a word that has multiple meanings, often related to each other.

Which of the following is an example of a homonym?

  1. Bank (financial institution)

  2. Bank (riverbank)

  3. Fair (just)

  4. Fair (festival)


Correct Option:
Explanation:

Bank has two different meanings, one referring to a financial institution and the other to a riverbank.

What is the term for a word that has the opposite meaning of another word?

  1. Homonym

  2. Synonym

  3. Antonym

  4. Polysemous word


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word.

Which of the following is an example of an antonym?

  1. Happy

  2. Sad

  3. Big

  4. Small


Correct Option:
Explanation:

Happy and Sad are antonyms as they represent opposite emotional states.

What is the term for a word that has a similar meaning to another word?

  1. Homonym

  2. Synonym

  3. Antonym

  4. Polysemous word


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

A synonym is a word that has a similar meaning to another word.

Which of the following is an example of a synonym?

  1. Happy

  2. Sad

  3. Big

  4. Large


Correct Option:
Explanation:

Big and Large are synonyms as they both refer to something of considerable size.

What is the term for a word that is used to refer to a taboo subject in a less offensive way?

  1. Euphemism

  2. Dysphemism

  3. Homonym

  4. Synonym


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A euphemism is a word or phrase that is used to refer to a taboo subject in a less offensive way.

Which of the following is an example of a euphemism?

  1. Passed away

  2. Died

  3. Big

  4. Large


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Passed away is a euphemism for died, used to make the subject of death less distressing.

What is the term for a word that is used to refer to a taboo subject in a more offensive way?

  1. Euphemism

  2. Dysphemism

  3. Homonym

  4. Synonym


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

A dysphemism is a word or phrase that is used to refer to a taboo subject in a more offensive way.

Which of the following is an example of a dysphemism?

  1. Kicked the bucket

  2. Passed away

  3. Big

  4. Large


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Kicked the bucket is a dysphemism for died, used to make the subject of death more vulgar.

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