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.

 

21.Universal Grammar (UG) proposes that:

A. All languages share core structural rules

B. Language is learned only through imitation

C. Grammar must be explicitly taught

D. Social context determines syntax

Answer: A. All languages share core structural rules

Explanation: UG suggests innate principles (e.g., nouns/verbs) and parameters (e.g., word order) underlie all languages.

 

22.Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD. refers to:

A. The gap between independent and assisted learning

B. The critical period for language acquisition

C. Universal Grammar parameters

D. Behaviorist reinforcement schedules

Answer: A. The gap between independent and assisted learning

Explanation: Learners progress with guidance (e.g., a teacher simplifying tasks).

 

23.According to Krashen, the difference between "acquisition" and "learning" is that:

A. Acquisition is conscious; learning is subconscious.

B. Acquisition is subconscious; learning is conscious.

C. Both are identical processes.

D. Only learning involves grammar rules.

Answer: B. Acquisition is subconscious; learning is conscious.

Explanation: Acquisition occurs naturally (like L1), while learning involves formal instruction (e.g., grammar rules).

 

24.The "Monitor" in Krashen’s theory refers to:

A. A device to measure language proficiency.

B. The conscious editing of speech using learned rules.

C. An innate language acquisition device.

D. A tool for vocabulary memorization.

Answer: B. The conscious editing of speech using learned rules.

Explanation: The Monitor corrects errors but is limited to formal knowledge (e.g., grammar rules).

 

25.Krashen suggests that the Monitor is most effective when:

A. Speaking rapidly in conversations.

B. Writing carefully with time to edit.

C. Listening to native speakers.

D. Memorizing lists of words.

Answer: B. Writing carefully with time to edit.

Explanation: The Monitor requires time and focus, making it useful in writing but not fluent speech.

 

26.An "overuser" of the Monitor is likely to be:

A. An extrovert who speaks fluently.

B. An introvert who obsesses over accuracy.

C. A child acquiring L1.

D. A teacher providing input.

Answer: B. An introvert who obsesses over accuracy.

Explanation: Overusers rely too much on learned rules, hindering fluency.

 

27.Comprehensible input (i+1) refers to language that is:

A. Far above the learner’s level.

B. Slightly above the learner’s current ability.

C. Only in written form.

D. Translated from L1.

Answer: B. Slightly above the learner’s current ability.

Explanation: i+1 challenges learners without overwhelming them (e.g., adding new vocabulary to known sentences)

 

28.Krashen’s theory is most aligned with which teaching method?

A. Grammar-translation.

B. Audiolingual drills.

C. Communicative Language Teaching (CLT).

D. Direct memorization.

Answer: C. Communicative Language Teaching (CLT).

Explanation: CLT focuses on meaningful communication, mirroring Krashen’s emphasis on comprehensible input.

 

29.Which of the following is NOT part of Stephen Krashen’s Theory of Second Language Acquisition?

A. The Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis

B. The Affective Filter Hypothesis

C. The Comprehensible Output Hypothesis

D. The Input Hypothesis

Answer: C. The Comprehensible Output Hypothesis

 

30.The term "comprehensible output" is associated with:

A. Krashen.

B. Merrill Swain.

C. Noam Chomsky.

D. Lev Vygotsky.

Answer: B. Merrill Swain.

Explanation: Swain argued output (speaking/writing) is crucial, contrasting Krashen’s input focus.