Language Functions Flashcards

Which sentence demonstrates the language function of hypothesizing?

Answer: If plants had no sunlight, they would not survive.

A hypothesis uses conditional language ('if...would') to explore a possible or imaginary scenario.

A student says, 'I find it hard to understand idioms in English.' Which language function is the student performing?

Answer: Expressing difficulty or a challenge

Stating that something is hard or difficult to do expresses the language function of communicating a challenge.

In a group discussion, a student says, 'Building on what Maria said, I think we should also consider...' What function does this phrase serve?

Answer: Acknowledging and extending a classmate's idea

'Building on what...said' is a discourse strategy used to acknowledge a peer's contribution and extend it.

Which sentence best illustrates the language function of defining a term?

Answer: Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into food.

Explaining what a word or concept means by describing its characteristics or process is the function of defining.

A student writes, 'As a result of increased pollution, many fish species are disappearing.' What language function does 'as a result of' signal?

Answer: Cause and effect

'As a result of' connects a cause (pollution) to its effect (fish disappearing), expressing a cause-and-effect relationship.

Which sentence demonstrates the language function of expressing future intention?

Answer: He is going to apply for the scholarship next week.

The 'going to' structure is commonly used in English to express a planned future intention.

In an ACCESS writing task, a student wants to support their argument with evidence. Which sentence best fulfills this language function?

Answer: According to the article, test scores improved by 20% after the program.

Citing a specific statistic from a source to back up a claim is the language function of providing evidence.