Language and Social Class: Explore the Linguistic Markers of Society

Question 1

Determine which linguistic marker is NOT associated with the upper class in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Cockney

Answer

Received Pronunciation

Answer

Standard English

Answer

Cut-glass accent

Question 2

Identify a key concept within the study of language and social class:

Accepted Answer

Sociolinguistics

Answer

Linguistic determinism

Answer

Cultural capital

Answer

Structuralism

Question 3

Which linguistic marker is NOT associated with the upper social class in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Informal slang

Answer

Clear pronunciation

Answer

Advanced vocabulary

Answer

Articulate speech

Question 4

Which feature is characteristic of the language used by the working class in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Informal vocabulary and contractions

Answer

Standard English grammar and syntax

Answer

Formal tone and precise pronunciation

Answer

Complex sentence structures

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a social dialect in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Cockney

Answer

Standard English

Answer

Received Pronunciation

Answer

American English

Question 6

How does the concept of code-switching relate to language and social class?

Accepted Answer

Individuals switch between language varieties based on social context

Answer

Code-switching is only used by lower social class speakers

Answer

Code-switching is not a significant phenomenon in the UK

Answer

Upper-class speakers never code-switch

Question 7

How does language function as a marker of social identity in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Individuals use language to express their sense of belonging to a particular social group

Answer

Language is not a significant factor in shaping social identity

Answer

Only upper-class speakers use language to establish their social status

Answer

Working-class speakers do not use language to express their social identity

Question 8

Identify a distinctive characteristic of working-class vernacular in the United Kingdom:

Accepted Answer

Frequent use of slang and colloquialisms

Answer

Formal and elaborate vocabulary

Answer

Complex sentence structures

Answer

Emphasis on Standard English pronunciation

Question 9

In what way does language contribute to maintaining social class divisions?

Accepted Answer

By establishing shared in-group codes that exclude outsiders

Answer

By providing access to exclusive educational opportunities

Answer

By facilitating upward social mobility

Answer

By promoting equal communication for all societal groups

Question 10

Which factor does NOT contribute to language variation based on social class?

Accepted Answer

Gender

Answer

Education

Answer

Occupation

Answer

Geographical location

Question 11

How does code-switching between distinct language varieties reflect social context?

Accepted Answer

It signals the speaker's adaptability and awareness of social norms

Answer

It indicates the speaker's inability to master either language

Answer

It is a sign of linguistic confusion and inconsistency

Answer

It has no social significance

Question 12

How do media representations of language influence societal perceptions of various social groups?

Accepted Answer

By reinforcing stereotypes and perpetuating biases

Answer

By providing a fair and unbiased portrayal of language diversity

Answer

By fostering understanding and acceptance between different groups

Answer

By having no significant impact

Question 13

Which linguistic feature is commonly associated with the upper class in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Precise pronunciation

Answer

Reduced vowels

Answer

Use of slang

Answer

Colloquial vocabulary

Question 14

What is the term for the informal register of language used by working-class communities in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Cockney

Answer

Standard English

Answer

Received Pronunciation

Answer

Regional Dialect

Question 15

What is the primary purpose of 'received pronunciation' (RP) in the UK?

Accepted Answer

To serve as the standard accent in education and media

Answer

To represent regional dialects

Answer

To reflect the speech patterns of the elite class

Answer

To promote linguistic diversity

Question 16

In what way does language reflect social stratification?

Accepted Answer

It reinforces and perpetuates existing inequalities

Answer

It creates new social divisions

Answer

It challenges and disrupts social norms

Answer

It remains unaffected by social structures

Question 17

Which of the following terms refers to the socially accepted way of speaking in a particular language community?

Accepted Answer

Standard dialect

Answer

Colloquial speech

Answer

Vernacular

Answer

Accent

Question 18

How does language intersect with and shape other forms of social identity?

Accepted Answer

It can reinforce or challenge other social categories, such as race, gender, or ethnicity

Answer

It is entirely independent of other social identities and has no influence on them

Answer

It is always subordinate to other forms of social identity and has limited impact

Answer

It has no connection to or interaction with other aspects of our identity

Question 19

How does language influence social interactions between people from different social classes?

Accepted Answer

Language reinforces social divisions and maintains social inequality.

Answer

Language plays no part in shaping social interactions across social classes.

Answer

Language is a neutral communication tool, unaffected by social class.

Answer

Language promotes social unity and breaks down social class barriers.

Question 20

While social class influences language variation, how can other factors like ethnicity and gender impact language use among individuals within the same social class?

Accepted Answer

Cultural norms and experiences tied to ethnicity and gender can shape language use.

Answer

Individuals intentionally change their language to fit in with their social class peers.

Answer

Exposure to different regional dialects is the main reason for language variation within a social class.

Answer

Genetic factors determine language variation patterns.

Question 21

How do a person's grammar and syntax contribute to perceptions of their social class?

Accepted Answer

Both grammar and syntax interact with factors like education and occupation to shape social class perceptions.

Answer

Grammar and syntax have no impact on social class perceptions.

Answer

Only grammar influences social class perceptions.

Answer

Only syntax influences social class perceptions.

Question 22

Which of the following linguistic features is typically associated with the 'Received Pronunciation' (RP) accent, often associated with higher social classes in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Using neutral vowel sounds in words like 'cat' and 'dog'

Answer

Dropping 'h' sounds (e.g., 'house' pronounced as 'ouse')

Answer

Utilizing triphthongs in words like 'fire' and 'flower'

Answer

Employing glottal stops in words like 'bottle' and 'water'

Question 23

According to sociolinguist William Labov, which variable is NOT a factor influencing language variation based on social class?

Accepted Answer

Religion

Answer

Ethnicity

Answer

Gender

Answer

Age

Question 24

Which of the following is an accurate example of 'hypercorrection' in language use?

Accepted Answer

Using 'whom' instead of 'who'

Answer

Pronouncing 'ask' as 'axe'

Answer

Employing slang or colloquial language in formal situations

Answer

Avoiding certain words or phrases due to fear of judgment

Question 25

Which of the following statements best describes the 'sociolinguistic shift' that occurred in the UK during the 20th century?

Accepted Answer

A decline in the use of regional dialects alongside an increase in the use of Standard English

Answer

An increase in the use of slang and informal language in both formal and informal settings

Answer

A reversal of the traditional correlation between social class and language use

Answer

No significant change in language variation based on social class

Question 26

According to Basil Bernstein's theory of 'restricted' and 'elaborated' codes, which of the following is a defining characteristic of 'restricted' codes?

Accepted Answer

Implicit meaning and reliance on context

Answer

Complex sentence structure and a wide vocabulary

Answer

Formal and impersonal language

Answer

Explicit and logical arguments

Question 27

Which concept refers to the use of language to maintain or challenge social boundaries and power structures?

Accepted Answer

Language ideology

Answer

Code-switching

Answer

Discourse analysis

Answer

Textual analysis

Question 28

The Cockney dialect is primarily associated with which social class?

Accepted Answer

Working class

Answer

Upper class

Answer

Middle class

Answer

Rural communities

Question 29

Which factor does NOT influence language variation in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

Geographical region

Answer

Ethnicity

Answer

Occupation

Question 30

What is the term for the study of the relationship between language and social class?

Accepted Answer

Sociolinguistics

Answer

Pragmatics

Answer

Semantics

Answer

Syntax

Question 31

How can changing how we speak, like using code-switching or accommodation, affect conversations between people from different social classes?

Accepted Answer

It can help people understand each other better and build relationships, closing gaps between social classes.

Answer

It always leads to arguments and misunderstandings.

Answer

It doesn't really change how people from different social classes talk to each other.

Question 32

What is the term for a variety of language that is closely associated with a particular social group?

Accepted Answer

Sociolect

Answer

Dialect

Answer

Register

Answer

Idiom

Question 33

Which of the following is an example of a prestige dialect in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Received Pronunciation

Answer

Cockney

Answer

Scouse

Answer

Geordie

Question 34

What is a primary purpose of studying language and social class?

Accepted Answer

To understand the complex relationship between language and society

Answer

To develop effective communication strategies

Answer

To eliminate social inequalities

Answer

To improve language skills

Question 35

According to Bernstein's sociolinguistic theory, what is a defining characteristic of an elaborated code?

Accepted Answer

Explicit and logical

Answer

Informal and colloquial

Answer

Imprecise and emotive

Answer

Reliant on slang

Question 36

Which of the following is a potential consequence of language differences between social classes?

Accepted Answer

Educational disadvantage

Answer

Social harmony

Answer

Economic equality

Answer

Enhanced communication

Question 37

What is the term for the theory that suggests that the language of a particular social class can provide social advantages?

Accepted Answer

Linguistic capital

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Symbolic power

Answer

Language prestige

Question 38

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can influence the relationship between language and social class?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Family background

Answer

Occupation

Answer

Education

Question 39

What is the name of the well-known sociolinguistic study that was conducted in Belfast, Northern Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Milroy's Belfast study

Answer

Trudgill's Norwich study

Answer

Labov's New York study

Answer

Wells' London study

Question 40

Which of the following is a linguistic feature associated with the middle class in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Standard English pronunciation

Answer

Frequent use of slang

Answer

Strong regional accent

Answer

Contracted words

Question 41

What is the concept that describes how language reflects and perpetuates social inequalities?

Accepted Answer

Linguistic inequality

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Power imbalance

Answer

Linguistic discrimination

Question 42

Which of the following is a potential challenge for educators when teaching students from diverse language backgrounds?

Accepted Answer

Language barriers

Answer

Parental involvement

Answer

Lack of motivation

Answer

Behavioral issues

Question 43

What is the term for the theory that proposes language use as a form of social action?

Accepted Answer

Speech Act Theory

Answer

Sociolinguistic Theory

Answer

Critical Discourse Analysis

Answer

Narrative Theory

Question 44

Which of the following is NOT a typical linguistic marker of higher social classes in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Using informal language

Answer

Wide vocabulary

Answer

Standard pronunciation

Question 45

According to Basil Bernstein's theory, which type of language code is associated with lower working class communities?

Accepted Answer

Restricted code

Answer

Standard code

Answer

Vulgar code

Answer

Elaborated code

Question 46

How does language contribute to the perpetuation of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

By creating barriers to upward mobility for lower social classes

Answer

By reducing communication gaps between social classes

Answer

By promoting social cohesion within different social groups

Question 47

How can teachers promote linguistic equality in the classroom?

Accepted Answer

By recognizing and valuing all language varieties and encouraging diverse language use

Answer

By insisting on the exclusive use of standard English

Answer

By penalizing students for using non-standard language

Question 48

Which social factors can influence an individual's language use?

Accepted Answer

Occupation, education level, and peer group

Answer

Only family background and cultural identity

Answer

Only ethnicity and socioeconomic status

Answer

Only age and gender

Question 49

How does language actively shape and construct social identities?

Accepted Answer

By expressing and reinforcing social norms, roles, and values

Answer

By having no impact on social interactions or identities

Answer

By solely facilitating communication between individuals

Answer

By simply conveying factual information

Question 50

Which of the following is an example of how language can be used as a tool for social control?

Accepted Answer

Propaganda and advertising campaigns

Answer

Academic research and scientific writing

Answer

Personal conversations and social media posts

Answer

Creative writing and literature

Question 51

How can media representations of social class influence societal perceptions of language and social status?

Accepted Answer

By perpetuating stereotypes and reinforcing social biases

Answer

By providing accurate and unbiased portrayals of social class

Answer

By having no impact on societal perceptions