Fall Semester 2025 UNISA Assignment: ENG2601 Applied English
Language Studies – Further Explorations Complete Solved
Assignment with Step-by-Step Answers and Exam-Focused Study
Guide (Updated 2025 Edition)
Question 1: Language Acquisition Theories
Which of the following theories emphasizes the role of social interaction in language
learning?
• A) Cognitive Theory
• B) Behaviorist Theory
• C) Social Interactionist Theory
• D) Nativist Theory
Correct Option: C) Social Interactionist Theory
Rationale: The Social Interactionist Theory argues that language acquisition is
influenced significantly by social interactions, where learners engage with others to
construct meaning.
Question 2: Phonetics and Phonology
What does the term "phoneme" refer to in phonology?
• A) A unit of meaning
• B) The smallest unit of sound that can distinguish meaning
• C) A sentence structure
• D) A type of morpheme
Correct Option: B) The smallest unit of sound that can distinguish meaning
Rationale: A phoneme is a basic sound unit in a language that can change the meaning
of a word, such as the difference between "bat" and "pat."
Question 3: Pragmatics
In pragmatic terms, what is the meaning of "speech act"?
• A) An utterance that performs an action
• B) A grammatical structure
• C) A type of literary device
• D) A phonetic feature
,Correct Option: A) An utterance that performs an action
Rationale: A speech act is a verbal expression that not only communicates information
but also performs a function, such as requesting or apologizing.
Question 4: Sociolinguistics
Which of the following best describes "code-switching"?
• A) Speaking in a deliberate manner
• B) The use of complex vocabulary
• C) Alternating between languages or dialects within a conversation
• D) A speech impairment
Correct Option: C) Alternating between languages or dialects within a conversation
Rationale: Code-switching occurs when a speaker switches between languages or
dialects, often depending on the social context or the audience.
Question 5: Language and Identity
What concept describes how individuals use language to express and negotiate their
social identities?
• A) Language Identity
• B) Linguistic Determinism
• C) Dialectology
• D) Phonological Variation
Correct Option: A) Language Identity
Rationale: Language Identity refers to the way language reflects, shapes, and
represents an individual's social identity, emphasizing personal and cultural expression.
Question 6: Linguistic Relativity
Which hypothesis suggests that the structure of a language affects its speakers'
worldview?
• A) Universal Grammar
• B) Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
• C) Constructivist Theory
• D) Interactionist Approach
, Correct Option: B) Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
Rationale: The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis posits that language influences thought and
perception, fundamentally shaping how individuals from different linguistic
backgrounds experience the world.
Question 7: Discourse Analysis
What is the primary focus of discourse analysis?
• A) Individual words in isolation
• B) Language in context and social interaction
• C) Grammatical rules
• D) Phonetic transcription
Correct Option: B) Language in context and social interaction
Rationale: Discourse analysis examines language use beyond the sentence level,
exploring how context and social factors influence meaning.
Question 8: Morphology
What is a "morpheme"?
• A) A complete sentence
• B) An idea expressed in speech
• C) The smallest grammatical unit that carries meaning
• D) A synonym
Correct Option: C) The smallest grammatical unit that carries meaning
Rationale: A morpheme is the smallest unit of meaning in a language, which can be a
word or a part of a word, such as a prefix or suffix.
Question 9: Second Language Acquisition
What is the "Affective Filter Hypothesis"?
• A) The idea that linguistic input is crucial
• B) The concept that emotions affect language learning
• C) The theory of cognitive overload
• D) A measure of language proficiency
Language Studies – Further Explorations Complete Solved
Assignment with Step-by-Step Answers and Exam-Focused Study
Guide (Updated 2025 Edition)
Question 1: Language Acquisition Theories
Which of the following theories emphasizes the role of social interaction in language
learning?
• A) Cognitive Theory
• B) Behaviorist Theory
• C) Social Interactionist Theory
• D) Nativist Theory
Correct Option: C) Social Interactionist Theory
Rationale: The Social Interactionist Theory argues that language acquisition is
influenced significantly by social interactions, where learners engage with others to
construct meaning.
Question 2: Phonetics and Phonology
What does the term "phoneme" refer to in phonology?
• A) A unit of meaning
• B) The smallest unit of sound that can distinguish meaning
• C) A sentence structure
• D) A type of morpheme
Correct Option: B) The smallest unit of sound that can distinguish meaning
Rationale: A phoneme is a basic sound unit in a language that can change the meaning
of a word, such as the difference between "bat" and "pat."
Question 3: Pragmatics
In pragmatic terms, what is the meaning of "speech act"?
• A) An utterance that performs an action
• B) A grammatical structure
• C) A type of literary device
• D) A phonetic feature
,Correct Option: A) An utterance that performs an action
Rationale: A speech act is a verbal expression that not only communicates information
but also performs a function, such as requesting or apologizing.
Question 4: Sociolinguistics
Which of the following best describes "code-switching"?
• A) Speaking in a deliberate manner
• B) The use of complex vocabulary
• C) Alternating between languages or dialects within a conversation
• D) A speech impairment
Correct Option: C) Alternating between languages or dialects within a conversation
Rationale: Code-switching occurs when a speaker switches between languages or
dialects, often depending on the social context or the audience.
Question 5: Language and Identity
What concept describes how individuals use language to express and negotiate their
social identities?
• A) Language Identity
• B) Linguistic Determinism
• C) Dialectology
• D) Phonological Variation
Correct Option: A) Language Identity
Rationale: Language Identity refers to the way language reflects, shapes, and
represents an individual's social identity, emphasizing personal and cultural expression.
Question 6: Linguistic Relativity
Which hypothesis suggests that the structure of a language affects its speakers'
worldview?
• A) Universal Grammar
• B) Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
• C) Constructivist Theory
• D) Interactionist Approach
, Correct Option: B) Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
Rationale: The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis posits that language influences thought and
perception, fundamentally shaping how individuals from different linguistic
backgrounds experience the world.
Question 7: Discourse Analysis
What is the primary focus of discourse analysis?
• A) Individual words in isolation
• B) Language in context and social interaction
• C) Grammatical rules
• D) Phonetic transcription
Correct Option: B) Language in context and social interaction
Rationale: Discourse analysis examines language use beyond the sentence level,
exploring how context and social factors influence meaning.
Question 8: Morphology
What is a "morpheme"?
• A) A complete sentence
• B) An idea expressed in speech
• C) The smallest grammatical unit that carries meaning
• D) A synonym
Correct Option: C) The smallest grammatical unit that carries meaning
Rationale: A morpheme is the smallest unit of meaning in a language, which can be a
word or a part of a word, such as a prefix or suffix.
Question 9: Second Language Acquisition
What is the "Affective Filter Hypothesis"?
• A) The idea that linguistic input is crucial
• B) The concept that emotions affect language learning
• C) The theory of cognitive overload
• D) A measure of language proficiency
