Q.1 Which of the following is typically the first stage of language development in infants?
Holophrastic stage
Babbling stage
Telegraphic speech
Cooing stage
Explanation - The cooing stage, around 6–8 weeks, involves infants producing vowel-like sounds and is the earliest stage of language development.
Correct answer is: Cooing stage
Q.2 At approximately what age do most children begin to use two-word phrases, known as telegraphic speech?
6–8 months
12–18 months
18–24 months
3–4 years
Explanation - Telegraphic speech, where children combine two words like 'want juice', typically emerges around 18–24 months.
Correct answer is: 18–24 months
Q.3 Which theory suggests that children are born with an innate ability to acquire language?
Behaviorist theory
Nativist theory
Social interactionist theory
Cognitive theory
Explanation - Noam Chomsky’s Nativist theory posits that humans have a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) that enables innate language learning.
Correct answer is: Nativist theory
Q.4 Which of the following is an example of overgeneralization in language development?
'I goed to the park'
'She is happy'
'Want cookie'
'Dog bark'
Explanation - Overgeneralization occurs when children apply regular grammatical rules to irregular words, such as 'goed' instead of 'went'.
Correct answer is: 'I goed to the park'
Q.5 Which stage of language development is characterized by single-word utterances representing entire sentences?
Cooing
Babbling
Holophrastic
Telegraphic
Explanation - The holophrastic stage (around 12 months) involves single words that convey broader meanings, such as 'milk' meaning 'I want milk'.
Correct answer is: Holophrastic
Q.6 Which researcher is most closely associated with the Social Interactionist theory of language development?
B.F. Skinner
Noam Chomsky
Lev Vygotsky
Jean Piaget
Explanation - Vygotsky emphasized that social interaction is crucial for language development, supporting the Social Interactionist perspective.
Correct answer is: Lev Vygotsky
Q.7 The period during which language acquisition occurs most easily and effectively is known as the:
Critical period
Sensitive period
Babbling period
Pre-linguistic period
Explanation - The critical period hypothesis suggests that language learning is easiest during early childhood, typically before puberty.
Correct answer is: Critical period
Q.8 Which of the following is a common characteristic of telegraphic speech?
Use of articles and prepositions
Omission of small words
Long, complex sentences
Correct past tense usage
Explanation - Telegraphic speech is concise, usually containing only essential content words while omitting smaller grammatical words.
Correct answer is: Omission of small words
Q.9 Which of the following best exemplifies the babbling stage?
'Ma-ma', 'Da-da'
'I want cookie'
'The cat is on the mat'
'Run fast'
Explanation - Babbling, occurring around 4–6 months, involves repetitive consonant-vowel sounds like 'ma-ma' or 'da-da'.
Correct answer is: 'Ma-ma', 'Da-da'
Q.10 According to Piaget, language development is closely linked to which other developmental domain?
Moral development
Cognitive development
Emotional development
Physical development
Explanation - Piaget proposed that cognitive development provides the foundation for language acquisition, as thought precedes speech.
Correct answer is: Cognitive development
Q.11 Which of the following is NOT an example of pragmatic language skills?
Understanding sarcasm
Using polite greetings
Forming plural nouns
Taking turns in conversation
Explanation - Pragmatic language involves social use of language, whereas forming plural nouns is a grammatical skill.
Correct answer is: Forming plural nouns
Q.12 Which of the following best describes a phoneme?
A meaningful word
The smallest unit of sound
A sentence fragment
A type of gesture
Explanation - Phonemes are the smallest units of sound that can differentiate meaning in a language.
Correct answer is: The smallest unit of sound
Q.13 Overextension in language development occurs when:
A child applies a word too narrowly
A child applies a word too broadly
A child refuses to speak
A child invents new phonemes
Explanation - Overextension happens when children use a word to label more objects than appropriate, e.g., calling all four-legged animals 'dog'.
Correct answer is: A child applies a word too broadly
Q.14 Which of the following theories emphasizes reinforcement and imitation in language acquisition?
Behaviorist theory
Nativist theory
Cognitive theory
Social Interactionist theory
Explanation - B.F. Skinner's Behaviorist theory suggests that children learn language through reinforcement and imitation.
Correct answer is: Behaviorist theory
Q.15 At which age do most children understand basic syntax and can follow simple grammatical rules?
6–12 months
1–2 years
2–3 years
4–5 years
Explanation - By around 2–3 years, children begin using grammatical structures correctly and can form simple sentences.
Correct answer is: 2–3 years
Q.16 Which type of language development involves understanding and producing meaningful sentences?
Pragmatics
Semantics
Phonology
Morphology
Explanation - Semantics refers to meaning in language, including understanding words and combining them into meaningful sentences.
Correct answer is: Semantics
Q.17 Which term describes a child’s inability to produce certain sounds correctly, such as 'wabbit' for 'rabbit'?
Overextension
Underextension
Phonological error
Syntax error
Explanation - Phonological errors involve mispronunciation or simplification of sounds during speech development.
Correct answer is: Phonological error
Q.18 Which of the following is an example of a morpheme?
Cat
Run
Dogs
All of the above
Explanation - A morpheme is the smallest unit of meaning. 'Cat', 'run', and 'dogs' all contain morphemes; 'dogs' has two ('dog' + plural 's').
Correct answer is: All of the above
Q.19 Which of the following best exemplifies receptive language?
Repeating words after an adult
Understanding the command 'Sit down'
Using telegraphic speech
Overgeneralizing verbs
Explanation - Receptive language refers to understanding language input, such as following instructions or comprehending speech.
Correct answer is: Understanding the command 'Sit down'
Q.20 Joint attention in language development refers to:
Two people speaking simultaneously
Shared focus on an object while communicating
Babbling in response to music
Using two-word phrases
Explanation - Joint attention occurs when a child and caregiver focus on the same object or event, facilitating language learning.
Correct answer is: Shared focus on an object while communicating
Q.21 Which of the following is true about the critical period for language acquisition?
It lasts throughout adulthood
It ends before puberty
It begins at age 5
It only applies to written language
Explanation - The critical period hypothesis suggests that language acquisition is most effective before puberty.
Correct answer is: It ends before puberty
Q.22 Which of the following statements aligns with Chomsky’s view on language development?
Language is learned purely through reinforcement
Children must be taught grammar explicitly
Children have an innate capacity for language
Language is acquired only through social interaction
Explanation - Chomsky argued that humans are born with an inherent ability to acquire language through a Language Acquisition Device (LAD).
Correct answer is: Children have an innate capacity for language
Q.23 Which of the following is an example of underextension in language development?
Calling all four-legged animals 'dog'
Using 'bottle' only for their own bottle
Saying 'goed' instead of 'went'
Combining two words like 'want juice'
Explanation - Underextension occurs when a child uses a word too narrowly, applying it only to a specific object rather than the general category.
Correct answer is: Using 'bottle' only for their own bottle
Q.24 Which of the following best describes the function of a Language Acquisition Device (LAD)?
A physical device to teach children language
An innate mental mechanism that facilitates language learning
A type of social interaction game
A behaviorist reinforcement tool
Explanation - The LAD is Chomsky’s theoretical construct that allows children to acquire language naturally.
Correct answer is: An innate mental mechanism that facilitates language learning
Q.25 Which stage typically follows the babbling stage in language development?
Cooing
Holophrastic
Telegraphic
Overextension
Explanation - After babbling (around 4–6 months), children enter the holophrastic stage around 12 months, using single words to represent entire ideas.
Correct answer is: Holophrastic