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Language Universals

Description: Language Universals Quiz
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: language universals linguistics
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Which of the following is NOT a universal feature of human language?

  1. The use of symbols to represent objects, actions, and ideas

  2. The use of grammar to organize words into sentences

  3. The use of a lexicon to store and retrieve words

  4. The use of telepathy to communicate with others

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Telepathy is not a universal feature of human language, as it is not a real phenomenon.

What is the term for the smallest unit of sound in a language that can be distinguished from other sounds?

  1. Phoneme

  2. Morpheme

  3. Lexicon

  4. Syntax

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound in a language that can be distinguished from other sounds.

What is the term for the smallest unit of meaning in a language?

  1. Phoneme

  2. Morpheme

  3. Lexicon

  4. Syntax

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

A morpheme is the smallest unit of meaning in a language.

What is the term for the set of all the words in a language?

  1. Phoneme

  2. Morpheme

  3. Lexicon

  4. Syntax

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

A lexicon is the set of all the words in a language.

What is the term for the rules that govern how words are combined into sentences?

  1. Phoneme

  2. Morpheme

  3. Lexicon

  4. Syntax

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Syntax is the set of rules that govern how words are combined into sentences.

Which of the following is NOT a universal feature of human language syntax?

  1. The use of subject-verb-object word order

  2. The use of tense to indicate time

  3. The use of aspect to indicate whether an action is completed or ongoing

  4. The use of mood to indicate the speaker's attitude towards the proposition

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The use of subject-verb-object word order is not a universal feature of human language syntax, as there are some languages that use other word orders, such as verb-subject-object or object-subject-verb.

Which of the following is a universal feature of human language semantics?

  1. The use of symbols to represent objects, actions, and ideas

  2. The use of grammar to organize words into sentences

  3. The use of a lexicon to store and retrieve words

  4. The use of context to determine the meaning of words and sentences

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The use of context to determine the meaning of words and sentences is a universal feature of human language semantics.

Which of the following is NOT a universal feature of human language pragmatics?

  1. The use of language to communicate information

  2. The use of language to express emotions

  3. The use of language to persuade others

  4. The use of language to perform magical rituals

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The use of language to perform magical rituals is not a universal feature of human language pragmatics.

Which of the following is a universal feature of human language acquisition?

  1. Children begin to learn language at around 1 year of age

  2. Children learn language through exposure to the language spoken around them

  3. Children learn language through formal instruction

  4. Children learn language through telepathy

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Children learn language through exposure to the language spoken around them.

Which of the following is NOT a universal feature of human language change?

  1. Languages change over time

  2. Languages change in response to changes in the environment

  3. Languages change in response to changes in the culture of the speakers

  4. Languages change in response to changes in the speakers' telepathic abilities

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Languages change in response to changes in the environment, the culture of the speakers, and other factors, but not in response to changes in the speakers' telepathic abilities.

Which of the following is a universal feature of human language diversity?

  1. There are over 6,000 languages spoken in the world

  2. Languages are spoken in all parts of the world

  3. Languages are used for a variety of purposes

  4. Languages are all equally complex

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

There are over 6,000 languages spoken in the world, and they are spoken in all parts of the world and used for a variety of purposes.

Which of the following is NOT a universal feature of human language universals?

  1. Language universals are features that are found in all human languages

  2. Language universals are evidence of the common origin of all human languages

  3. Language universals are evidence of the innate nature of human language

  4. Language universals are evidence of the telepathic abilities of humans

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Language universals are evidence of the common origin of all human languages and the innate nature of human language, but not of the telepathic abilities of humans.

Which of the following is a universal feature of human language typology?

  1. Languages can be classified into different types based on their structural features

  2. There are a finite number of language types

  3. All languages belong to the same language type

  4. Languages cannot be classified into different types

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Languages can be classified into different types based on their structural features, and there are a finite number of language types.

Which of the following is NOT a universal feature of human language evolution?

  1. Languages have evolved over time

  2. Languages have evolved in response to changes in the environment

  3. Languages have evolved in response to changes in the culture of the speakers

  4. Languages have evolved in response to changes in the speakers' telepathic abilities

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Languages have evolved in response to changes in the environment, the culture of the speakers, and other factors, but not in response to changes in the speakers' telepathic abilities.

Which of the following is a universal feature of human language and culture?

  1. Language is a part of culture

  2. Culture is a part of language

  3. Language and culture are independent of each other

  4. Language and culture are not related to each other

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Language is a part of culture, and culture is a part of language.

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