Quiz: semantics and pragmatics

Which of the following best describes the difference between semantics and pragmatics?

• Semantic focuses on the literal meaning of words, while pragmatic focuses on their contextual use.

• Semantic refers to the underlying structure of language, while pragmatic refers to its surface-level expression.

• Semantic examines the historical origins of words, while pragmatic examines their contemporary usage in speech.

• Semantic concerns the making of dictionaries, while pragmatic deals with the social impacts of language.

Which of the following best describes the linguistic context?

• the physical environment in which communication takes place

• the words and sentences that surround a particular expression

• the cultural background of the speaker and listener

• the non-verbal cues, such as gestures and facial expressions, accompanying speech

What does deixis mean?

• Deixis is based on the information that is right and combined with experiences.

• Deixis is the use of general words and phrases to refer to a specific time, place, and person in a context.

• Deixis is used when the speaker assumes that listeners know something.

• Deixis is an act in which a speaker uses a linguistic form to identify something.

Which of the following are NOT the types of deixis

• Spatial deixis

• Grammar deixis

• Temporal deixis

• Context deixis

Which of these pairs of words are non-gradable antonyms?

• Bright - Dull

• Give - Take

• Right - Wrong

• Exit - Entrance

Which of these pairs of words are reversive antonyms?

• Happy - Sad

• Buy - Sell

• Hot - Cold

• Long - Short

Which of these pairs of words are gradable antonyms?

• Male - Female

• True - False

• Pack - Unpack

• Young - Old

Which of following is NOT the hyponym of the word 'flower'?

• lavender

• cinnamon

• jasmine

• orchid

What is the lexical relationship of this pair of words 'right - write'?

• polysemy

• homonym

• homophone

• metonym

What is the lexical relationship of this set of words?

mouth (n.) = the opening in the face of a person or animal

mouth (n.) = the entrance to a large hole or cave

mouth (n.) = the part of a river where it joins the sea

• polysemy

• homonym

• homophone

• polyglot