Praxis English to Speakers of Other Languages (5362) - Praxis ESOL
5362 Secrets Study Guide [2nd Edition]
Praxis ESOL 5362 — Questions 1–20
I. Language Acquisition & Linguistics
1. Which stage of second language acquisition is characterized by limited comprehension and short
responses?
A) Preproduction
B) Early Production
C) Speech Emergence
D) Intermediate Fluency
✔ Correct Answer: A — Preproduction
Rationale: Preproduction (silent period) involves listening and observing with minimal verbal output.
2. Which theory emphasizes that language learning is driven by innate grammatical structures?
A) Behaviorist theory
B) Nativist theory
C) Sociocultural theory
D) Cognitive theory
✔ Correct Answer: B — Nativist theory
Rationale: Nativist theory (Chomsky) proposes that humans have an innate language acquisition
device.
3. Which stage occurs when learners can produce short phrases and sentences but with
grammatical errors?
A) Preproduction
B) Speech Emergence
C) Intermediate Fluency
D) Advanced Fluency
✔ Correct Answer: B — Speech Emergence
Rationale: Learners begin producing language in simple sentences and communicate basic ideas.
4. Which term refers to the ability to understand and produce a language in social contexts?
A) Cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP)
B) Basic interpersonal communicative skills (BICS)
C) Phonemic awareness
D) Morphology
✔ Correct Answer: B — BICS
Rationale: BICS involves conversational fluency used in social interactions.
5. Which linguistic feature deals with word formation and structure?
A) Syntax
B) Morphology
, C) Semantics
D) Pragmatics
✔ Correct Answer: B — Morphology
Rationale: Morphology studies morphemes, the smallest units of meaning in a language.
II. Teaching Strategies
6. Which instructional strategy supports English learners by pairing visuals with text?
A) Total Physical Response (TPR)
B) Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP)
C) Think-Pair-Share
D) Silent Reading
✔ Correct Answer: B — SIOP
Rationale: SIOP integrates visual aids, modeling, and scaffolding for language comprehension.
7. Total Physical Response (TPR) primarily helps students develop:
A) Reading fluency
B) Listening comprehension
C) Writing skills
D) Academic vocabulary
✔ Correct Answer: B — Listening comprehension
Rationale: TPR uses physical actions to reinforce understanding of verbal commands.
8. Which approach emphasizes communication and authentic language use over formal grammar
instruction?
A) Grammar-Translation Method
B) Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)
C) Audiolingual Method
D) Direct Method
✔ Correct Answer: B — CLT
Rationale: CLT focuses on meaningful interaction to develop functional language skills.
9. Scaffolding in ESOL instruction involves:
A) Simplifying content to single words only
B) Providing support and gradually removing it as learners gain independence
C) Avoiding error correction
D) Teaching in the first language exclusively
✔ Correct Answer: B — Providing support and gradually removing it
Rationale: Scaffolding allows learners to complete tasks with assistance before achieving autonomy.
10. Which strategy helps English learners acquire vocabulary through repeated exposure in
context?
A) Drill memorization
B) Contextualized reading and discussion
C) Isolated word lists
D) Grammar exercises
✔ Correct Answer: B — Contextualized reading and discussion
Rationale: Context-rich exposure promotes deeper understanding and retention of vocabulary.
5362 Secrets Study Guide [2nd Edition]
Praxis ESOL 5362 — Questions 1–20
I. Language Acquisition & Linguistics
1. Which stage of second language acquisition is characterized by limited comprehension and short
responses?
A) Preproduction
B) Early Production
C) Speech Emergence
D) Intermediate Fluency
✔ Correct Answer: A — Preproduction
Rationale: Preproduction (silent period) involves listening and observing with minimal verbal output.
2. Which theory emphasizes that language learning is driven by innate grammatical structures?
A) Behaviorist theory
B) Nativist theory
C) Sociocultural theory
D) Cognitive theory
✔ Correct Answer: B — Nativist theory
Rationale: Nativist theory (Chomsky) proposes that humans have an innate language acquisition
device.
3. Which stage occurs when learners can produce short phrases and sentences but with
grammatical errors?
A) Preproduction
B) Speech Emergence
C) Intermediate Fluency
D) Advanced Fluency
✔ Correct Answer: B — Speech Emergence
Rationale: Learners begin producing language in simple sentences and communicate basic ideas.
4. Which term refers to the ability to understand and produce a language in social contexts?
A) Cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP)
B) Basic interpersonal communicative skills (BICS)
C) Phonemic awareness
D) Morphology
✔ Correct Answer: B — BICS
Rationale: BICS involves conversational fluency used in social interactions.
5. Which linguistic feature deals with word formation and structure?
A) Syntax
B) Morphology
, C) Semantics
D) Pragmatics
✔ Correct Answer: B — Morphology
Rationale: Morphology studies morphemes, the smallest units of meaning in a language.
II. Teaching Strategies
6. Which instructional strategy supports English learners by pairing visuals with text?
A) Total Physical Response (TPR)
B) Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP)
C) Think-Pair-Share
D) Silent Reading
✔ Correct Answer: B — SIOP
Rationale: SIOP integrates visual aids, modeling, and scaffolding for language comprehension.
7. Total Physical Response (TPR) primarily helps students develop:
A) Reading fluency
B) Listening comprehension
C) Writing skills
D) Academic vocabulary
✔ Correct Answer: B — Listening comprehension
Rationale: TPR uses physical actions to reinforce understanding of verbal commands.
8. Which approach emphasizes communication and authentic language use over formal grammar
instruction?
A) Grammar-Translation Method
B) Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)
C) Audiolingual Method
D) Direct Method
✔ Correct Answer: B — CLT
Rationale: CLT focuses on meaningful interaction to develop functional language skills.
9. Scaffolding in ESOL instruction involves:
A) Simplifying content to single words only
B) Providing support and gradually removing it as learners gain independence
C) Avoiding error correction
D) Teaching in the first language exclusively
✔ Correct Answer: B — Providing support and gradually removing it
Rationale: Scaffolding allows learners to complete tasks with assistance before achieving autonomy.
10. Which strategy helps English learners acquire vocabulary through repeated exposure in
context?
A) Drill memorization
B) Contextualized reading and discussion
C) Isolated word lists
D) Grammar exercises
✔ Correct Answer: B — Contextualized reading and discussion
Rationale: Context-rich exposure promotes deeper understanding and retention of vocabulary.
