Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions. Most languages have several levels of vocabulary that may be used by the same speakers. In English, at least three have been identified and described. Standard usage includes those words and expressions understood, used, and accepted by a majority of the speakers of a language in any situation regardless of the level of formality. As such, these words and...
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Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.
Most languages have several levels of vocabulary that may be used by the same speakers. In English, at least three have been identified and described.
Standard usage includes those words and expressions understood, used, and accepted by a majority of the speakers of a language in any situation regardless of the level of formality. As such, these words and expressions are well defined and listed in standard dictionaries. Colloquialisms, on the other hand, are familiar words and idioms that are understood by almost all speakers of a language and used in informal speech or writing, but not considered acceptable for more formal situations. Almost all idiomatic expressions are colloquial language. Slang, refers to words and expressions understood by a large number of speakers but not accepted as appropriate formal usage by the majority. Colloquial expressions and even slang may be found in standard dictionaries but will be so identified. Both colloquial usage and slang are more common in speech than writing.
Colloquial speech often passes into standard speech. Some slang also passes into standard speech, but other slang expressions enjoy momentary popularity followed by obscurity. In some cases, the majority never accepts certain slang phrases but nevertheless retains them in their collective memories. Every generation seems to require its own set of words to describe familiar objects and events.
It has been pointed out by a number of linguists that three cultural conditions are necessary for the creation of a large body of slang expressions. First, the introduction and acceptance of new objects and situations in the society; second, a diverse population with a large number of subgroups; third, association among the subgroups and the majority population.
Finally, it is worth noting that the terms “standard”, “colloquial”, and “slang” exist only as abstract labels for scholars who study language. Only a tiny number of the speakers of any language will be aware that they are using colloquial or slang expressions. Most speakers of English will, during appropriate situations, select and use three types of expressions.
Which of the following could be the best title for the passage?
A. Standard speech
B. Idiomatic phrases
C. Different types of vocabulary
D. Dictionary usage
By using the words in brackets, join each of the following sentences into logicalones. You may need to change some of the words
1. A student has studied English for a few years. He may have a vocabulary ofthousands of words. (who)
=> A student who has studied English for a few years may have a vocabulary of thousands of words.
2. Between formal and colloquial English there is unmarked English. It is neither soliterary and serious as formal English, nor so casual and free as colloquial English.(which)
=> Between formal and colloquial English there is unmarked English which is neither soliterary and serious as formal English, nor so casual and free as colloquial English.
3. He bought a jeep. His friend advised him against it. (although)
=> He bought a jeep although his friend had advised him against it.
4. Good writing requires general and abstract words as well as specific and concreteones. It is the latter that make writing vivid, real and clear. (though)
=> Though good writing requires general and abstract words as well as specific and concreteones, it is the latter that make writing vivid, real and clear.
5. It was raining hard. They could not work in the fields. (so ... that)
=> It was raining so hard that they could not work in the fields.
6. The politician is concerned with successful elections. The statesman is interested in the future of his people. (whereas)
=> The politician is concerned with successful elections whereas the statesman is interested in the future of his people.
7. The results of the experiment were successful. The school refused to give any help.(although)
=> Although the school refused to give any help, the results of the experiment were successful.
8. He chose to study computer science. Computer science has good employment prospects. (because of)
=> He chose to study computer science because of its good employment prospects.
9. Mary walked very slowly. She did not catch the train. (if)
=> If Mary hadn't walked very slowly, she would have catched the train.
10. He is not coming. The meeting will be put off till next week. (in the event of)
=> The meetting will be put off till next week in the event of his not coming.