语言学练习题

Chapter 1Introductions to Linguistics I.Choose the best answer. (20%) 1.BLanguage is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human __________ A.contactB.communicationC. relationD. community 2.AWhich of the following words is entirely arbitrary? A.treeB.typewriterC. crashD. bang 3.CThe function of the sentence “Water boils at 100 degrees Centigrade.” is __________. A.interrogativeB.directiveC. inativeD. perative 4.CIn Chinese when someone breaks a bowl or a plate the host or the people present are likely to say“碎碎（岁岁）平安”as a means of controlling the forces which they believes feel might affect their lives. Which functions does it per? A.InterpersonalB.EmotiveC. PerativeD. Recreational Which of the following property of language enables language users to overcome the barriers caused by time and place, due to this feature of language, speakers of a language are free to talk about anything in any situation? A.TransferabilityB.DualityC. DisplacementD. Arbitrariness Study the following dialogue. What function does it play according to the functions of language? — A nice day, isn’t it? — Right! I really enjoy the sunlight. A.EmotiveB.PhaticC. PerativeD. Interpersonal 7.A__________referstotheactualrealizationoftheideallanguage user’sknowledge of the rules of his language in utterances. A.PeranceB.CompetenceC. LangueD. Parole 8.CWhen a dog is barking, you assume it is barking for something or at someone that exists hear and now. It couldn’t be sorrowful for some lost love or lost bone. This indicates the design feature of __________. A.culturaltransmissionB.productivityC. displacementD. duality 9.A__________ answers such questions as how we as infants acquire our first language. A. Psycholinguistics linguistics C. SociolinguisticsD. Applied linguistics 10.C__________ deals with language application to other fields, particularly education. A.LinguistictheoryB.Practical linguistics C.AppliedlinguisticsD.Comparative linguistics II.Decide whether the following statements are true or false. (10%) 11.FLanguage is a means of verbal communication. Therefore, the communication way used by the deaf-mute is not language. 12.FLanguage change is universal, ongoing and arbitrary. 13.TSpeaking is the quickest and most efficient way of the human communication systems. 14.FLanguage is written because writing is the primary medium for all languages. 15.FWe were all born with the ability to acquire language, which means the details of any language system can be genetically transmitted. 16.FOnly human beings are able to communicate. 17.FF. de Saussure, who made the distinction between langue and parole in the early 20th century, was a French linguist. 18.FA study of the features of the English used in Shakespeare’s time is an example of the diachronic study of language. 19.FSpeech and writing came into being at much the same time in human history. 20.FAll the languages in the world today have both spoken and written s. III.Fill in the blanks.