Child Language Acquisition Quiz
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Take this child language acquisition quiz and assess how well you're aware of this new terminology. Basically, the term refers to how children acquire language and why do they need to interact with others (including their parents and other children) to learn any language. The following quiz contains some of the interesting questions related to the language development that takes place in children. So, it's a good opportunity for you to take command of this topic. Should we proceed then? All the best, my friend!
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Which of the following statements supports the Imitation theory of language acquisition?
- A.
Babies are a blank slate
- B.
They listen to the language around them and form language based on what they hear
- C.
Imitation and practice are key to language acquisition
- D.
We have some knowledge about language rules that are pre-wired in our brains
Correct Answer(s)
A. Babies are a blank slate
B. They listen to the language around them and form language based on what they hear
C. Imitation and practice are key to language acquisitionExplanation
The given answer supports the Imitation theory of language acquisition by stating that babies are a blank slate and they listen to the language around them, forming language based on what they hear. This implies that babies imitate and practice the language they hear in order to acquire it.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Which of the following examples relate to imitation language acquisition?
- A.
Alfie can repeat 5 new words based on what he learned from his caregiver this week
- B.
Jenny combined traction and grip to create the word "gription"
- C.
Leonardo said the word "goed" yesterday
- D.
Lucy can now sing her ABCs
Correct Answer(s)
A. Alfie can repeat 5 new words based on what he learned from his caregiver this week
D. Lucy can now sing her ABCsExplanation
The correct answer is Alfie can repeat 5 new words based on what he learned from his caregiver this week and Lucy can now sing her ABCs. These examples relate to imitation language acquisition because both Alfie and Lucy are demonstrating the ability to imitate and reproduce language that they have heard from others. Alfie is repeating words that he learned from his caregiver, showing his ability to imitate and learn new words. Lucy is able to sing her ABCs, which suggests that she has imitated and learned the sequence of letters in the alphabet.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which of the following examples relate to nativist language acquisition?
- A.
Alfie can repeat 5 new words based on what he learned from his caregiver this week
- B.
Jenny combined traction and grip to create the word "gription"
- C.
Leonardo said the word "goed" yesterday
- D.
Lucy can now sing her ABCs
Correct Answer(s)
B. Jenny combined traction and grip to create the word "gription"
C. Leonardo said the word "goed" yesterdayExplanation
The examples of Jenny combining "traction" and "grip" to create the word "gription" and Leonardo saying "goed" instead of "went" yesterday suggest nativist language acquisition. These examples indicate that the individuals are using their innate language abilities to create new words or make errors in grammar. This aligns with the nativist theory of language acquisition, which suggests that humans are born with an innate ability to acquire language.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What are the current thinking statements about language acquisition?
- A.
Children only imitate the language they hear
- B.
Children have an innate ability to develop language rules, but those rules are based on the speech they hear around them.
- C.
Children continuously update and refine their language rules as they hear more.
- D.
There is a critical period of language acquisition during childhood.
Correct Answer(s)
B. Children have an innate ability to develop language rules, but those rules are based on the speech they hear around them.
C. Children continuously update and refine their language rules as they hear more.
D. There is a critical period of language acquisition during childhood.Explanation
The current thinking statements about language acquisition suggest that children have an innate ability to develop language rules, which are influenced by the speech they hear around them. Additionally, children continuously update and refine these language rules as they are exposed to more language input. Furthermore, there is a critical period of language acquisition during childhood, indicating that there is a specific window of time in which language learning is most effective.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Language development starts in the womb.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Research has shown that language development begins even before birth. Studies have found that babies can recognize their mother's voice and other familiar sounds while still in the womb. They are also able to distinguish between different speech sounds and rhythms. This early exposure to language in the womb helps lay the foundation for later language development and acquisition after birth. Therefore, the statement "Language development starts in the womb" is true.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Babies don't understand language before they can speak.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Babies actually start understanding language before they can speak. Research shows that infants as young as a few months old can recognize and respond to familiar words and phrases. They can also understand basic commands and gestures. However, their ability to produce language develops later. So, the correct answer is False.Rate this question:
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- 7.
About how many words do 18 month old children know?
- A.
40
- B.
50
- C.
60
- D.
65
Correct Answer
B. 50Explanation
At 18 months old, children typically know around 50 words. This is because at this age, children are in the early stages of language development and are starting to understand and use words. They may be able to say simple words like "mama" or "dada" and understand basic instructions. By the time they reach 18 months, their vocabulary should consist of around 50 words, although it can vary from child to child.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Once children grasp two word phrases, there is a clear cut 3 word phase.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The statement contradicts itself by saying that once children grasp two-word phrases, there is a clear-cut three-word phrase. This implies that all children will inevitably progress from two-word phrases to three-word phrases, which is not necessarily true. Children's language development varies, and some may skip the three-word phase or progress differently. Therefore, the statement is false.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The amount of language a child is exposed to affects their later vocabulary size.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The explanation for the given correct answer is that research has shown that the amount of language a child is exposed to during their early years has a direct impact on their vocabulary size later in life. Children who are exposed to a rich language environment, with frequent and varied conversations, reading, and exposure to different words, tend to have larger vocabularies compared to those who have limited language exposure. This is because language exposure provides opportunities for children to learn and practice new words, which contributes to their vocabulary development.Rate this question:
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- 10.
What is an estimate of how many words an average educated English speaking adult knows?
- A.
About 50,000
- B.
About 60,000
- C.
About 65,000
- D.
More than 70,000
Correct Answer
A. About 50,000Explanation
An estimate of about 50,000 words is given as the answer for the number of words an average educated English speaking adult knows. This estimate suggests that the average adult has a strong vocabulary and is familiar with a wide range of words. However, it is important to note that this estimate may vary depending on factors such as education level, reading habits, and exposure to different types of literature and media.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Children's language errors are systematic, not random.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Children's language errors are systematic because they tend to follow consistent patterns or rules. These errors are not random occurrences but rather reflect the child's attempt to understand and produce language based on their current stage of development. For example, a child might consistently use the past tense form "goed" instead of "went" because they have not yet learned the irregular past tense rule. This systematic nature of language errors in children is an important part of their language acquisition process.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Children impose regularity during their language development, sometimes more than what is in their input.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
During language development, children often impose regularity by creating rules and patterns in their language that may not necessarily be present in their input. This means that they may generalize certain grammatical rules or linguistic patterns beyond what they have been exposed to. This phenomenon, known as overregularization, is commonly observed in children's language acquisition process. Therefore, it is true that children impose regularity during their language development, sometimes more than what is in their input.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Which of the following are included in Canale & Swain's model of communicative competence?
- A.
Grammatical competence
- B.
Sociolinguistic competence
- C.
Strategic competence
- D.
Discourse competence
- E.
Organizational competence
- F.
Pragmatic competence
Correct Answer(s)
A. Grammatical competence
B. Sociolinguistic competence
C. Strategic competence
D. Discourse competenceExplanation
Canale & Swain's model of communicative competence includes grammatical competence, sociolinguistic competence, strategic competence, and discourse competence. Grammatical competence refers to the knowledge of grammar rules and structures. Sociolinguistic competence involves understanding the social and cultural aspects of language use. Strategic competence relates to the ability to use communication strategies to overcome difficulties in understanding or expressing oneself. Discourse competence refers to the understanding and production of coherent and cohesive extended stretches of language. Organizational competence and pragmatic competence are not included in Canale & Swain's model.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which of the following are included in Bachman's model of communicative competence?
- A.
Grammatical competence
- B.
Sociolinguistic competence
- C.
Strategic competence
- D.
Discourse competence
- E.
Organizational competence
- F.
Pragmatic competence
Correct Answer(s)
A. Grammatical competence
B. Sociolinguistic competence
E. Organizational competence
F. Pragmatic competenceExplanation
Bachman's model of communicative competence includes grammatical competence, sociolinguistic competence, organizational competence, and pragmatic competence. Grammatical competence refers to the knowledge and ability to use the rules of grammar accurately. Sociolinguistic competence involves understanding and using language appropriately in different social and cultural contexts. Organizational competence refers to the ability to organize and structure information effectively in communication. Pragmatic competence involves understanding and using language appropriately in different communicative situations to achieve specific goals.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Which of the following languages takes the most time for a native English speaker to learn?
- A.
Italian
- B.
Polish
- C.
Greek
- D.
Korean
Correct Answer
D. KoreanExplanation
Korean takes the most time for a native English speaker to learn because it has a complex writing system, including both phonetic and logographic characters. Additionally, Korean grammar and sentence structure are significantly different from English, making it more challenging to grasp. The language also has a unique honorific system, which requires learners to understand and use different levels of politeness based on the social status of the speaker and listener. These factors contribute to the increased difficulty and time required for an English speaker to become proficient in Korean.Rate this question:
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- 16.
At what age do you need to learn a second language to master the sounds "perfectly"?
- A.
Pre-puberty
- B.
High school age
- C.
College age
- D.
Adult
Correct Answer
A. Pre-pubertyExplanation
During the pre-puberty stage, the brain is more flexible and capable of acquiring new languages with greater ease. This is because the brain's neural pathways for language learning are still developing and can adapt to the specific sounds and phonetics of a second language. After puberty, these neural pathways become more fixed, making it more challenging to master the sounds of a new language. Therefore, learning a second language before reaching puberty increases the likelihood of mastering the sounds "perfectly".Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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