MCQs- Theories of Language Learning or SLA
Q1.
Who is considered the primary proponent of the Behavioral Theory of language
learning?
A. Noam Chomsky
B. B.F. Skinner
C. Jean Piaget
D. Lev Vygotsky
Answer: B. B.F.
Skinner (Skinner formalized behaviorist theory, emphasizing imitation and
reinforcement.)
Q2.
According to Skinner, how do children primarily learn language?
A. Through innate
biological mechanisms
B. By imitation and
operant conditioning
C. By solving
linguistic problems
D. Through social
interaction alone
Answer: B. By
imitation and operant conditioning (Answer: Skinner argued children imitate
caregivers and adjust based on rewards/punishments.)
Q3.
Thorndike’s "Law of Effect" states that:
A. Learning is
strengthened by repetition
B. Behaviors
followed by rewards are more likely to be repeated
C. Learning depends
on cognitive readiness
D. Language is
acquired through universal grammar
Answer: B. Behaviors
followed by rewards are more likely to be repeated (Rewards reinforce behavior,
a key behaviorist principle.)
Q4.
A key criticism of Behavioral Theory is that it:
A. Ignores
reinforcement
B. Does not account
for creative language use
C. Overemphasizes
innate abilities
D. Focuses too much
on social interaction
Answer: B. Does not
account for creative language use (Behaviorism cannot explain how children
generate novel sentences.)
Q5.
Chomsky’s Language Acquisition Device (LAD. suggests that:
A. Children learn
language solely through imitation
B. Humans are born
with an innate ability to acquire language
C. Language learning
depends entirely on environmental input
D. Only adults can
learn language effectively
Answer: B. Humans
are born with an innate ability to acquire language (LAD is an innate
biological mechanism for language learning.)
Q6.
Chomsky's LAD (Language Acquisition Device) refers to:
A. A learned
behavior from parents
B. An innate brain
mechanism for language
C. A social
interaction strategy
D. A memory storage
system
Answer: B. An innate
brain mechanism for language
Explanation: LAD is
a hypothesized innate faculty enabling children to deduce grammar rules from
limited input.
Q7.
Chomsky’s "competence vs. performance" distinguishes:
A. Idealized
knowledge vs. actual language use
B. Behaviorist vs.
cognitive learning
C. Child vs. adult
language development
D. Reinforcement vs.
punishment
Answer: A. Idealized
knowledge vs. actual language use (Competence = internal grammar; Performance =
real-world speech.)
Q8.
The Critical Period Hypothesis (Lenneberg) claims that:
A. Language learning
is equally easy at any age
B. There’s an
optimal window (2-13 years) for L1 acquisition
C. Only adults can
master a second language
D. Language depends
solely on conditioning
Answer: B. There’s
an optimal window (2-13 years) for L1 acquisition (Biological constraints make
post-puberty language learning harder.)
Q9.
Piaget’s theory emphasizes that:
A. Language is
learned through habit formation
B. Cognitive
development precedes language
C. Imitation and
reinforcement are key
D. Universal Grammar
drives acquisition
Answer: B. Cognitive
development precedes language (Children must understand concepts before
expressing them linguistically.)
Q10.
Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory highlights:
A. Innate biological
mechanisms
B. Social
interaction and scaffolding
C. Operant
conditioning
D. Universal Grammar
parameters
Answer: B. Social
interaction and scaffolding (Learning occurs through guided interaction with
others.)
Q11.
Bruner’s LASS (Language Acquisition Support System) refers to:
A. Children learning
language alone
B. Caregiver support
enabling language learning
C. Formal
instruction as the only path
D. Behaviorist
conditioning
Answer: B. Caregiver
support enabling language learning
(Adults provide scaffolding via interaction, e.g., baby talk.)
Q12.
The Interaction Hypothesis (Long) stresses:
A. Face-to-face
communication aids learning
B. The existence of
universal grammar
C. Learning only via
imitation
D. Cognitive
development’s irrelevance
Answer: A. Face-to-face
communication aids learning (Negotiation of meaning during interaction promotes
SLA.)
Q13.
Dell Hymes’ Communicative Competence includes all EXCEPT:
A. Grammatical
accuracy
B. Social
appropriateness
C. Innate knowledge
of syntax
D. Strategic
problem-solving
Answer: C. Innate
knowledge of syntax (Hymes focuses on social use, not Chomsky’s innate
grammar.)
Q14.
The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis posits that:
A. Language shapes
thought and perception
B. All languages
share the same grammar
C. Learning is
purely behavioral
D. Only children
acquire language natively
Answer: A. Language
shapes thought and perception (Linguistic structure influences how we view the
world.)
Q15.
Swain’s Comprehensible Output Hypothesis argues that:
A. Input alone
suffices for learning
B. Producing
language reveals gaps in knowledge
C. Acquisition is
entirely innate
D. Reinforcement is
unnecessary
Answer: B. Producing
language reveals gaps in knowledge (Output pushes learners to refine their
grammar/vocabulary.)
16."Verbal
behavior (1957)" is a book by:
A. Thorndike
B. Piaget
C. Skinner
D. Pavlov
Answer: C. Skinner
17.Thorndike's
"Law of Exercise" implies that learning improves with:
A. Increased rewards
B. Repetition and
practice
C. Cognitive
development
D. Genetic
predisposition
Answer: B. Repetition
and practice
Explanation: This
law states that connections between stimuli and responses strengthen with
repeated practice (e.g., drilling grammar rules).
18.Behaviorists
compare language acquisition to:
A. Solving
mathematical equations
B. Developing motor
skills like walking
C. Abstract
reasoning
D. Creative
storytelling
Answer: B. Developing
motor skills like walking
Explanation:
Behaviorists view language as a habit formed through conditioning, similar to
learning physical skills.
19.A
child saying "milk" and receiving milk exemplifies:
A. Negative
reinforcement
B. Operant
conditioning
C. Universal Grammar
D. Cognitive
dissonance
Answer: B. Operant
conditioning
Explanation: The
child's verbalization is reinforced by receiving the desired object,
strengthening the behavior.
20.The
sentence "Colorless green ideas sleep furiously" demonstrates:
A. Correct syntax
but meaningless semantics
B. Behaviorist
reinforcement
C. Piaget’s
cognitive stages
D. Vygotsky’s
scaffolding
Answer: A. Correct
syntax but meaningless semantics
Explanation: Chomsky
used this to show syntax (grammar) and semantics (meaning) are independent,
supporting innate grammar.
Q.31. According to Vygotsky, learning occurs most effectively in the:
1. Critical Period
2. Language Acquisition Device
3. Zone of Proximal Development
4. Universal Grammar
Answer: 3
Explanation: The ZPD is the gap between what learners can do independently and with guidance.
Q.32. The Audiolingual Method is primarily based on which theory of language learning?
1. Cognitive theory
2. Innatist theory
3. Behavioral theory
4. Sociocultural theory
Answer: 3
Explanation: The Audiolingual Method is rooted in Behaviorism, emphasizing habit formation through repetition and reinforcement.
Q.33. Error correction is discouraged in Krashen’s theory because:
1. Errors prevent learning
2. Errors are signs of failure
3. Errors are natural in acquisition
4. Errors block grammar learning
Answer: 3
Explanation: Krashen views errors as a natural part of language acquisition and believes excessive correction raises anxiety.
Q.34. Which theorist emphasized the role of interactional modifications such as clarification requests and confirmation checks?
1. Stephen Krashen
2. Michael Long
3. Merrill Swain
4. Noam Chomsky
Answer: 2
Explanation: Michael Long’s Interaction Hypothesis stresses that negotiated interaction facilitates language learning.
Q.35. The concept of “noticing” in SLA is associated with:
1. Krashen
2. Schmidt
3. Skinner
4. Piaget
Answer: 2
Explanation: Richard Schmidt’s Noticing Hypothesis states that learners must consciously notice language forms to acquire them.
Q.36. Fossilization in second language learning refers to:
1. Complete language mastery
2. Temporary learning errors
3. Permanent stabilization of errors
4. Rapid language development
Answer: 3
Explanation: Fossilization occurs when incorrect language forms become fixed and resistant to correction.
Q.37. Transfer errors occur when learners:
1. Forget grammar rules
2. Apply L1 rules to L2 incorrectly
3. Avoid speaking
4. Memorize vocabulary
Answer: 2
Explanation: Transfer errors result from negative influence of the learner’s first language on the second language.
Q.38. Scaffolding in language learning refers to:
1. Repetition drills
2. Innate language ability
3. Temporary support by a knowledgeable other
4. Error correction techniques
Answer: 3
Explanation: Scaffolding involves supportive assistance provided by teachers or peers to facilitate learning.
Q.39. Which hypothesis emphasizes the importance of producing language, not just receiving input?
1. Input Hypothesis
2. Monitor Hypothesis
3. Output Hypothesis
4. Affective Filter Hypothesis
Answer: 3
Explanation: Swain’s Output Hypothesis stresses that producing language helps learners notice gaps in their knowledge.
Q.40. In Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), the primary focus is on:
1. Grammar accuracy
2. Habit formation
3. Meaningful communication
4. Memorization of rules
Answer: 3
Explanation: CLT prioritizes communication and meaning over rote grammar learning.
Theories of Language Learning- KEY (1-40) Q Key Q Key Q Key Q Key Q Key Q Key Q Key Q Key Q Key Q Key 1 2 2 2 3 2 4 2 5 2 6 2 7 1 8 2 9 2 10 2 11 2 12 1 13 3 14 1 15 2 16 3 17 2 18 2 19 2 20 1 21 1 22 1 23 2 24 2 25 2 26 2 27 2 28 3 29 3 30 2 31 3 32 3 33 3 34 2 35 2 36 3 37 2 38 3 39 3 40 3
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