Language Proficiency Pragmatics and Language Use 4

Question 1

When someone says 'Could you pass the salt?' at the dinner table, this is best described as a:

Accepted Answer

Indirect speech act

Answer

This is an indirect speech act because the grammatical form (a yes/no question about ability) differs from the intended communicative function (a request).

Question 2

The principle that speakers should say neither more nor less than is required for the current conversational purpose is called Grice's maxim of:

Accepted Answer

Quantity

Answer

The maxim of Quantity states that contributions should be as informative as required but not more so.

Question 3

A customer says 'I've been waiting here for twenty minutes' to a store clerk. The implied meaning is most likely:

Accepted Answer

A complaint and implicit request for service

Answer

The statement functions as an indirect complaint and request for attention, going beyond its literal informational content.

Question 4

Which concept describes the background assumptions that must be true for an utterance to make sense, such as 'Have you stopped smoking?' assuming the person once smoked?

Accepted Answer

Presupposition

Answer

Presupposition refers to background assumptions embedded in an utterance that must hold for the utterance to be felicitous.

Question 5

In which situation would using highly formal language most likely violate pragmatic norms?

Accepted Answer

Chatting with a close friend at lunch

Answer

Using formal register with close friends violates the pragmatic expectation of informal, relaxed language in casual social settings.

Language Proficiency Practice Test

Language Proficiency Practice Test

Language Proficiency Pragmatics and Language Use 4