Linguistics Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Linguistics?
Do you understand linguistics well? Take this brief linguistics quiz to test your knowledge. This quiz is for someone majoring in English and for everyone interested in linguistics. It has different questions about the study of language, phonemes, and the theory of language. So, jump right in, and enjoy the quiz! All the best for a perfect score! If you find the quiz informative, do not forget to share it with others.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
What is the study of languages?
- A.
Phonetics
- B.
Syntax
- C.
Linguistics
- D.
Semantics
Correct Answer
C. LinguisticsExplanation
Linguistics is the study of languages, including their structure, history, and usage. It explores how languages are formed, how they change over time, and how they are used in communication. It encompasses various subfields such as phonetics, syntax, and semantics, which focus on different aspects of language. Therefore, linguistics is the correct answer as it is the broad discipline that encompasses the study of languages in its entirety.Rate this question:
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- 2.
It is the study of the meaning of words and phrases.
- A.
Phonetics
- B.
Syntax
- C.
Linguistics
- D.
Semantics
Correct Answer
D. SemanticsExplanation
Semantics is the study of the meaning of words and phrases. It focuses on how language conveys meaning and how different words and phrases are used to express different ideas. Semantics examines the relationships between words, their meanings, and how they are interpreted in different contexts. It explores the nuances of meaning, including the various connotations and denotations of words, and how they contribute to communication and understanding.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Phonetics is the study of the sounds of language. What do we call these sounds?
- A.
Morphemes
- B.
Phonemes
- C.
Syntax
- D.
Lexicology
Correct Answer
B. PhonemesExplanation
Phonetics is the study of the sounds of language, specifically the individual units of sound called phonemes. Phonemes are the smallest units of sound that can distinguish meaning in a language. They are the building blocks of words and are used to differentiate between different words or word forms. Therefore, phonemes are the correct answer to the question as they are the sounds that phonetics studies.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What is the study of language as it pertains to social classes, ethnic groups, and genders?
- A.
Psycholinguistics
- B.
Comparative linguistics
- C.
Sociolinguistics
- D.
Linguistics
Correct Answer
C. SociolinguisticsExplanation
Sociolinguistics is the study of language in relation to social classes, ethnic groups, and genders. It focuses on how language varies and is used differently in different social contexts and by different groups of people. This field of study examines how language reflects and shapes social identities, power dynamics, and cultural norms within a society.Rate this question:
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- 5.
It is the study of language from a cognitive and developmental law.
- A.
Psycholinguistics
- B.
Sociolinguistics
- C.
Comparative linguistics
- D.
Linguistics
Correct Answer
A. PsycholinguisticsExplanation
Psycholinguistics is the study of language from a cognitive and developmental perspective. It focuses on how language is processed in the brain, how it is acquired by individuals, and how it is used in communication. This field combines principles from psychology and linguistics to understand the mental processes involved in language production, comprehension, and acquisition.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Syntax is the study of the structure and rules governing word formation and sentence structure in language.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
True. Syntax is indeed the study of the structure and rules governing word formation and sentence structure in a language, focusing on how words combine to form phrases, clauses, and sentences.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What is the term for the study of the sound system of a language, including the pronunciation and phonetic aspects?
- A.
Syntax
- B.
Semantics
- C.
Phonology
- D.
Morphology
Correct Answer
C. PhonologyExplanation
Phonology is the branch of linguistics that focuses on the study of the sound system of a language, including the pronunciation, phonetic features, and the rules governing the organization of sounds within that language. It plays a crucial role in understanding the phonetic aspects of linguistic structure.Rate this question:
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- 8.
In 1348, English replaced Latin as the language of instruction in most schools.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
In 1348, English replaced Latin as the language of instruction in most schools. This means that during this time period, schools began teaching in English instead of Latin. This change would have had a significant impact on education, as it made the language more accessible to a wider range of students and allowed for the dissemination of knowledge in a language that was more commonly spoken and understood. It also marked a shift away from the dominance of Latin as the language of the educated elite.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Shakespeare was born in 1564 and died in 1660.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
William Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564, and died on April 23, 1616Rate this question:
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- 10.
French replaced English as the language of the law during 1363.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
From 1399 onwards, Henry IV emerged as arguably the initial English monarch to favor the use of the English language. Despite this, a royal decree dating back to 1362 mandated that all legal pleas, and from 1363, the predominant discourse in the parliamentary Commons, be conducted exclusively in English.Rate this question:
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- 11.
In the vocal tract, the speech starts with the __________, which pushes air out (carbon dioxide) and pulls it in (oxygen).
Correct Answer
lungsExplanation
The speech starts with the lungs, which push air out (carbon dioxide) and pull it in (oxygen). The lungs are responsible for the exchange of gases in the respiratory system. When we speak, the air expelled from the lungs passes through the vocal tract, where it is modified by the movement of the articulators (such as the lips, tongue, and vocal cords) to produce speech sounds. Therefore, the lungs play a crucial role in the initiation of speech by providing the air needed for vocalization.Rate this question:
- 12.
Next, we have the larynx or voice box. It sits at the juncture of the __________ or windpipe coming up from the lungs and esophagus coming up from the stomach.
Correct Answer
tracheaExplanation
The larynx, also known as the voice box, is located at the point where the trachea, or windpipe, connects with the esophagus. The trachea carries air from the lungs, while the esophagus carries food and liquid from the stomach. The larynx plays a crucial role in producing sound and allowing us to speak.Rate this question:
- 13.
The vocal cords can be tightened and loosened and can vibrate when air is past them, creating sounds called ________. Examples include the consonants b, d, g, v, z, and r.
Correct Answer
voicedExplanation
The vocal cords can be tightened and loosened to control the flow of air passing through them. When the vocal cords vibrate, they produce sounds called voiced sounds. Examples of voiced sounds include the consonants b, d, g, v, z, and r.Rate this question:
- 14.
- Other phonemes do not involve the vocal cords, and there is no vibration, such as the consonants h, t, s, p, k, l, and f is called __________.
Correct Answer
voicelessExplanation
Phonemes that do not involve the vocal cords vibrating are referred to as "voiceless" phonemes. These sounds are produced without the vibration of the vocal cords, which distinguishes them from "voiced" phonemes where the vocal cords do vibrate. Examples of voiceless phonemes include the consonants h, t, s, p, k, l, and f.Rate this question:
- 15.
At the top of the throat is the opening to the nasal passages called the ___________.
Correct Answer
nasopharynxExplanation
The correct answer is nasopharynx. The nasopharynx is the uppermost part of the throat and is located behind the nose. It serves as the opening to the nasal passages and is responsible for allowing air to pass from the nose into the throat.Rate this question:
- 16.
- These are sounds made with air passing through the nose. Examples include the m, n, and ng sounds of sing.
- A.
Nasal
- B.
Uvula
- C.
Velum
- D.
Bilabial
Correct Answer
A. NasalExplanation
The correct answer is "nasal" because the sounds mentioned in the question are made with air passing through the nose. The term "nasal" refers to sounds produced by allowing air to flow through the nasal cavity while blocking the oral cavity. Examples of nasal sounds include the consonants "m," "n," and "ng" in the word "sing."Rate this question:
- 17.
The sounds are made by holding the lips together and then releasing the sound, such as p and b.
- A.
Liquid
- B.
Nasal
- C.
Bilabial
- D.
Bilabial nasal
Correct Answer
C. BilabialExplanation
The sounds described in the question are made by holding the lips together and then releasing the sound. This is a characteristic of bilabial sounds, which are produced using both lips. Examples of bilabial sounds include the consonants "p" and "b". Therefore, the correct answer is "bilabial".Rate this question:
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- 18.
We can also use the upper teeth with the lower lip for _________ sounds. This is how we make an f sound.
- A.
Uvular
- B.
Labiodental
- C.
Velar
- D.
Nasal
Correct Answer
B. LabiodentalExplanation
The correct answer is labiodental. Labiodental sounds are produced by using the upper teeth with the lower lip. The f sound is an example of a labiodental sound, as it is made by placing the lower lip against the upper teeth and pushing air through the small gap. This creates a frictional sound. The other options, uvular, velar, and nasal, do not involve the use of the upper teeth and lower lip in the same way as labiodental sounds.Rate this question:
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- 19.
We also have two names for the parts of the tongue used with these various parts of the mouth: The front edge is called the _______ and sounds like t, th, and s are made with this.
- A.
Corona
- B.
Dorsum
- C.
Labiodental
- D.
Dental
Correct Answer
A. CoronaExplanation
The correct answer is "corona." The explanation is that the front edge of the tongue, which is called the corona, is used to make sounds like t, th, and s.Rate this question:
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- 20.
And the back edge is called the _________. It sounds like k, g, and ng are made with this.
- A.
Corona
- B.
Dorsum
- C.
Labiodental
- D.
Dental
Correct Answer
B. DorsumExplanation
The back edge is called the dorsum. It sounds like k, g, and ng are made with this.Rate this question:
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Apr 15, 2024Quiz Edited by
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Jul 29, 2012Quiz Created by
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