Quiz On Language And Gender

1. Women use tag questions more frequently than men.

True

False

It helps with bonding and is a form of encouragement to enter a conversation, as well as avoiding seeiming too assertive. There is debate amongst theorists as to which of these things is the main reason, but it is probably a combination that varies from person to person.

Explanation

It helps with bonding and is a form of encouragement to enter a conversation, as well as avoiding seeiming too assertive. There is debate amongst theorists as to which of these things is the main reason, but it is probably a combination that varies from person to person.

2. In general, men smile more often than women.

True

False

Women are far more likely to smile than men. They do this in many different social situations, even though they are not necessarily happy or amused.

Explanation

Women are far more likely to smile than men. They do this in many different social situations, even though they are not necessarily happy or amused.

3. Your gender and your sex are the same thing, at least in linguistic terms.

True

False

DEFINITELY NOT! Gender is to do with identity, sex is to do with biological features. You can be a feminine (gender) man (biology) or a masculine(gender) woman (biology). This is especially important in language, because male and female linguistic traits may appear in language used by the opposite sex - it is your job to analyse why.

Explanation

DEFINITELY NOT! Gender is to do with identity, sex is to do with biological features. You can be a feminine (gender) man (biology) or a masculine(gender) woman (biology). This is especially important in language, because male and female linguistic traits may appear in language used by the opposite sex - it is your job to analyse why.

4. Women frequently use language and conversation to establish their dominance within a group

True

False

This is more likely to be a feature of male conversation.

Explanation

This is more likely to be a feature of male conversation.

5. Who is more likely to use language to bond, encourage and balance power?

Men

Women

Children

Non binaries

Women are more likely to use language to bond, encourage, and balance power. This is because women tend to be more empathetic and nurturing, and they often prioritize building and maintaining relationships. Language is a powerful tool for creating connections and expressing emotions, and women are generally more skilled at using it for these purposes. Additionally, women may use language to navigate power dynamics in a more subtle and diplomatic way, seeking to find a balance and avoid confrontation.

Explanation

Women are more likely to use language to bond, encourage, and balance power. This is because women tend to be more empathetic and nurturing, and they often prioritize building and maintaining relationships. Language is a powerful tool for creating connections and expressing emotions, and women are generally more skilled at using it for these purposes. Additionally, women may use language to navigate power dynamics in a more subtle and diplomatic way, seeking to find a balance and avoid confrontation.

6. Backchannelling is more common face to face, than on the telephone.

True

False

Backchannelling is making sounds or using small words to show that you are paying attention (mm, right, ok, mmm hmm etc). It is more common on the phone because there is no other way of telling if the listener is paying attention. In face to face conversation, there are facial expressions, body language and so on.

Explanation

Backchannelling is making sounds or using small words to show that you are paying attention (mm, right, ok, mmm hmm etc). It is more common on the phone because there is no other way of telling if the listener is paying attention. In face to face conversation, there are facial expressions, body language and so on.

7. Three women and three men are chatting. Who is likely to talk more?

The women

The men

They are likely to talk about the same amount

All of the above

Women and women talk more than men and men. In a mixed conversation, however, men talk more.

Explanation

Women and women talk more than men and men. In a mixed conversation, however, men talk more.

8. It is important to consider gender within language a power, because people's gender is the main factor affecting their lexical choice.

True

False

It is a factor which might affect lexical choice and other linguistic features, but it is unlikely to be the main one. It is important within language and power, because of the potential differences in status accrding to gender. This leads to an imbalance in power, which creates interesting data for linguists.

Explanation

It is a factor which might affect lexical choice and other linguistic features, but it is unlikely to be the main one. It is important within language and power, because of the potential differences in status accrding to gender. This leads to an imbalance in power, which creates interesting data for linguists.

9. Which of the following are typically true of male speech?

They swear more than women

They describe things more than women

They are more likely to interrupt than women

They backchannel a lot

Men tend to swear more than women and are more likely to interrupt others during conversations. These behaviors are often considered typical of male speech patterns. However, the statement "They describe things more than women" is not necessarily true as it does not provide any information about gender differences in describing things.

Explanation

Men tend to swear more than women and are more likely to interrupt others during conversations. These behaviors are often considered typical of male speech patterns. However, the statement "They describe things more than women" is not necessarily true as it does not provide any information about gender differences in describing things.

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10. Women use more what than men?

Tag questions

Specific lexis for household chores

Phatic talk

Swear words

Adjectives

References to colour

The question asks what women use more than men. The correct answer includes various types of language usage that women are believed to use more frequently than men. This includes tag questions, which are questions added to the end of a statement to seek confirmation or agreement. Women are often stereotypically associated with using more tag questions. Additionally, women are believed to use specific lexis for household chores, such as specific vocabulary related to cooking or cleaning. They are also believed to engage in more phatic talk, which refers to small talk or conversation for social purposes. Women are thought to use more adjectives in their speech compared to men. Lastly, women are believed to make more references to color in their language.

Explanation

The question asks what women use more than men. The correct answer includes various types of language usage that women are believed to use more frequently than men. This includes tag questions, which are questions added to the end of a statement to seek confirmation or agreement. Women are often stereotypically associated with using more tag questions. Additionally, women are believed to use specific lexis for household chores, such as specific vocabulary related to cooking or cleaning. They are also believed to engage in more phatic talk, which refers to small talk or conversation for social purposes. Women are thought to use more adjectives in their speech compared to men. Lastly, women are believed to make more references to color in their language.

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