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Language and Social Class in Television

Description: This quiz focuses on the relationship between language and social class as depicted in television shows.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: language and social class television sociolinguistics
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In the sitcom 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air', how does the character Carlton Banks's speech differ from that of his cousin Will Smith?

  1. Carlton uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  2. Carlton speaks in a more formal and educated manner.

  3. Carlton and Will use similar language.

  4. Carlton speaks with a Southern accent.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Carlton Banks is often portrayed as a wealthy and privileged young man, and his speech reflects this. He uses more formal and educated language than his cousin Will Smith, who is from a working-class background.

In the drama series 'Downton Abbey', how does the language used by the aristocratic characters differ from that used by the servants?

  1. The aristocratic characters use more slang and colloquialisms.

  2. The servants use more slang and colloquialisms.

  3. The aristocratic characters and the servants use similar language.

  4. The aristocratic characters speak with a Northern accent, while the servants speak with a Southern accent.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Although the aristocratic characters and the servants in 'Downton Abbey' come from different social classes, they use similar language. This is because they live and work in close proximity to each other, and they have many opportunities to interact with each other.

In the reality TV show 'Jersey Shore', how does the language used by the cast members reflect their social class?

  1. The cast members use a lot of slang and colloquialisms.

  2. The cast members speak in a formal and educated manner.

  3. The cast members use a mix of slang and formal language.

  4. The cast members speak with a New Jersey accent.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The cast members of 'Jersey Shore' are often portrayed as working-class people, and their language reflects this. They use a lot of slang and colloquialisms, which are informal and often considered to be 'low-class'.

In the animated sitcom 'The Simpsons', how does the language used by Homer Simpson differ from that used by his wife Marge?

  1. Homer uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  2. Marge uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  3. Homer and Marge use similar language.

  4. Homer speaks with a Southern accent, while Marge speaks with a Northern accent.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Homer Simpson is often portrayed as a working-class man, and his language reflects this. He uses a lot of slang and colloquialisms, which are informal and often considered to be 'low-class'. Marge, on the other hand, is often portrayed as a more middle-class character, and her language is more formal and educated.

In the drama series 'Game of Thrones', how does the language used by the characters reflect their social class?

  1. The characters from noble families use more slang and colloquialisms.

  2. The characters from common families use more slang and colloquialisms.

  3. The characters from noble families and the characters from common families use similar language.

  4. The characters from noble families speak with a Northern accent, while the characters from common families speak with a Southern accent.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Although the characters in 'Game of Thrones' come from different social classes, they use similar language. This is because they live in a feudal society, where everyone is subject to the same laws and customs. However, there are some subtle differences in the way that different characters speak. For example, the characters from noble families often use more formal and elaborate language, while the characters from common families often use more informal and colloquial language.

In the sitcom 'Modern Family', how does the language used by the character Jay Pritchett differ from that used by his son-in-law Phil Dunphy?

  1. Jay uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  2. Phil uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  3. Jay and Phil use similar language.

  4. Jay speaks with a Southern accent, while Phil speaks with a Northern accent.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Although Jay Pritchett and Phil Dunphy are from different generations and have different personalities, they use similar language. This is because they are both successful businessmen and they live in the same upper-middle-class neighborhood. However, there are some subtle differences in the way that they speak. For example, Jay often uses more formal and traditional language, while Phil often uses more informal and colloquial language.

In the drama series 'The Wire', how does the language used by the police officers differ from that used by the drug dealers?

  1. The police officers use more slang and colloquialisms.

  2. The drug dealers use more slang and colloquialisms.

  3. The police officers and the drug dealers use similar language.

  4. The police officers speak with a Northern accent, while the drug dealers speak with a Southern accent.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Although the police officers and the drug dealers in 'The Wire' come from different social classes and have different backgrounds, they use similar language. This is because they live and work in the same city, and they have many opportunities to interact with each other. However, there are some subtle differences in the way that they speak. For example, the police officers often use more formal and technical language, while the drug dealers often use more informal and colloquial language.

In the sitcom 'Seinfeld', how does the language used by the character George Costanza differ from that used by his friend Jerry Seinfeld?

  1. George uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  2. Jerry uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  3. George and Jerry use similar language.

  4. George speaks with a Southern accent, while Jerry speaks with a Northern accent.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Although George Costanza and Jerry Seinfeld are from different social classes and have different personalities, they use similar language. This is because they are both successful comedians and they live in the same upper-middle-class neighborhood. However, there are some subtle differences in the way that they speak. For example, George often uses more formal and traditional language, while Jerry often uses more informal and colloquial language.

In the drama series 'Breaking Bad', how does the language used by the character Walter White differ from that used by his wife Skyler White?

  1. Walter uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  2. Skyler uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  3. Walter and Skyler use similar language.

  4. Walter speaks with a Southern accent, while Skyler speaks with a Northern accent.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Although Walter White and Skyler White are from different social classes and have different backgrounds, they use similar language. This is because they are both intelligent and educated people, and they live in the same middle-class neighborhood. However, there are some subtle differences in the way that they speak. For example, Walter often uses more formal and technical language, while Skyler often uses more informal and colloquial language.

In the sitcom 'The Big Bang Theory', how does the language used by the character Sheldon Cooper differ from that used by his friend Leonard Hofstadter?

  1. Sheldon uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  2. Leonard uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  3. Sheldon and Leonard use similar language.

  4. Sheldon speaks with a Southern accent, while Leonard speaks with a Northern accent.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Although Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter are both physicists, they use different language. Sheldon often uses more slang and colloquialisms, while Leonard often uses more formal and technical language. This is because Sheldon is a more eccentric and unconventional character, while Leonard is a more traditional and conformist character.

In the drama series 'Mad Men', how does the language used by the character Don Draper differ from that used by his secretary Peggy Olson?

  1. Don uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  2. Peggy uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  3. Don and Peggy use similar language.

  4. Don speaks with a Southern accent, while Peggy speaks with a Northern accent.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Although Don Draper and Peggy Olson are from different social classes and have different backgrounds, they use similar language. This is because they are both intelligent and ambitious people, and they work in the same advertising agency. However, there are some subtle differences in the way that they speak. For example, Don often uses more formal and traditional language, while Peggy often uses more informal and colloquial language.

In the sitcom 'Friends', how does the language used by the character Joey Tribbiani differ from that used by his friend Chandler Bing?

  1. Joey uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  2. Chandler uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  3. Joey and Chandler use similar language.

  4. Joey speaks with a Southern accent, while Chandler speaks with a Northern accent.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Although Joey Tribbiani and Chandler Bing are both actors, they use different language. Joey often uses more slang and colloquialisms, while Chandler often uses more formal and technical language. This is because Joey is a more outgoing and extroverted character, while Chandler is a more introverted and neurotic character.

In the drama series 'The Sopranos', how does the language used by the character Tony Soprano differ from that used by his wife Carmela Soprano?

  1. Tony uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  2. Carmela uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  3. Tony and Carmela use similar language.

  4. Tony speaks with a Southern accent, while Carmela speaks with a Northern accent.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Although Tony Soprano and Carmela Soprano are married to each other, they use different language. Tony often uses more slang and colloquialisms, while Carmela often uses more formal and traditional language. This is because Tony is a more rough-and-tumble character, while Carmela is a more refined and sophisticated character.

In the sitcom 'The Office', how does the language used by the character Michael Scott differ from that used by his employee Jim Halpert?

  1. Michael uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  2. Jim uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  3. Michael and Jim use similar language.

  4. Michael speaks with a Southern accent, while Jim speaks with a Northern accent.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Although Michael Scott and Jim Halpert work in the same office, they use different language. Michael often uses more slang and colloquialisms, while Jim often uses more formal and technical language. This is because Michael is a more eccentric and unconventional character, while Jim is a more traditional and conformist character.

In the drama series 'Game of Thrones', how does the language used by the character Daenerys Targaryen differ from that used by her advisor Tyrion Lannister?

  1. Daenerys uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  2. Tyrion uses more slang and colloquialisms.

  3. Daenerys and Tyrion use similar language.

  4. Daenerys speaks with a Southern accent, while Tyrion speaks with a Northern accent.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Although Daenerys Targaryen and Tyrion Lannister are from different social classes and have different backgrounds, they use similar language. This is because they are both intelligent and ambitious people, and they work together to achieve their goals. However, there are some subtle differences in the way that they speak. For example, Daenerys often uses more formal and traditional language, while Tyrion often uses more informal and colloquial language.

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