Quiz #1
Ling 101 (Bruening)
September 14, 2006
Use the scan sheet to answer all 25 questions. Please return your test with your answer sheet. Be sure to indicate your
name, course number, and section (listed below) on your scan sheet.
Course number: 101
Section 16 Sachie Kotani 8–9:15 Section 19 Gina Cook 8–9:15
Section 17 Sachie Kotani 11–12:15 Section 20 Gina Cook 11–12:15
Section 18 Sachie Kotani 12:30–1:45 Section 21 Gina Cook 12:30–1:45
1 True-False
Fill in (a) if the sentence is true, (b) if it is false.
1. Old English could not express abstract concepts.
2. All normal humans acquire at least one language.
3. Eskimos have 400 words for snow.
4. All languages have subjects, objects, and verbs.
5. The mental grammar is capable of constructing and understanding an infinite number of sentences.
6. Someone who translates from one language to another is called a linguist.
7. Only human language has the property of productivity.
8. Warlpiri is a primitive language that cannot express modern concepts.
9. A speaker of a language that does not distinguish green from blue cannot see the difference.
10. English is in danger of being displaced by the languages of immigrants.
11. Red-green colorblind people still know that the words red and green refer to complementary colors.
2 Multiple Choice
12. All humans acquire a language without instruction as infants. Which of the following complex activities is also
acquired in such a manner?
(a) swimming
(b) algebra
(c) walking
(d) tying shoes
(e) riding a bike
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