Standardization | MCQs

Explanation

Read the following passage and choose the best answer

Standard usage includes those words and expressions understood, used, and accepted by a majority of the speakers of a language in any situation regardless of the level of formality. As such, these words and expressions are well-defined and listed in standard dictionaries.

Colloquialisms, on the other hand, are familiar words and idioms that are understood by almost all speakers of a  language and used in informal speech or writing but are not considered acceptable for more formal situations. Almost all idiomatic expressions are colloquial language. Slang,  however,  refers to words and expressions understood by a large number of speakers but not accepted as appropriate formal usage by the majority. Colloquial expressions and even slang may be found in standard dictionaries but will be so identified. Both colloquial usage and slang are more common in speech than in writing.

Colloquial speech often passes into standard speech. Some slang also passes into standard speech, but other slang expressions enjoy momentary popularity followed by obscurity. In some cases, the majority never accepts certain slang phrases but nevertheless retains them in their collective memories. Every generation seems to require its own set of words to describe familiar objects and events.

It has been pointed out by a number of linguists that three cultural conditions are necessary for the creation of a large body of slang expressions. First, the introduction and acceptance of new objects and situations in the society; second, a diverse population with a large number of subgroups; third, the association among the subgroups and the majority population. Finally, it is worth noting that the terms ''standard", "colloquial”, and "slang” exist only as abstract levels for scholars who study the language. Only a tiny number of speakers of any language will be aware that they are using colloquial or slang expressions. Most speakers of English will, during appropriate situations, select and use all three types of expressions.

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Question: Which of the following topics is the passage primarily concerned?

A. Standard speech.   

B. Idiomatic phrases.

C. Dictionary usage.   

D. Different types of vocabulary.

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The word " appropriate" could best be replaced by:

A.old  

B. correct  

C.important  

D.large

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The author mentions all of the following as requirements for slang expressions to be created EXPECT:

A.a number of linguists   

B. a new generation

C. interaction among diverse groups  

D. new situations

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How is slang defined by the author?

A: words and phrases accepted by the majority for formal usage

B: words and phrases understood by the majority but not found in standard dictionaries

C: words aand phrases that are understood by a restricted group of speakers

D: words and phrases understood by a large number of speaker but not accepted as formal usage