OC Q1 Week 6 Quiz

Mark is at a restaurant and says to the waiter, "I'll have the steak, please." Which type of speech act is primarily being used in this scenario?

• Locutionary

• Illocutionary

• Perlocutionary

Answer explanation

Mark's statement "I'll have the steak, please" is an illocutionary act because he is not just stating a fact but is making a request for the steak, which conveys his intention to order.

Lana says to her friend, "I bet you can't finish that pizza!" What type of illocutionary act is Lana performing?

• Directive

• Commissive

• Expressive

• Declaration

Answer explanation

Lana's statement is a challenge that implies a commitment to a bet, which is a promise or intention regarding future action. This makes it a commissive act, as she is committing to the idea that her friend cannot finish the pizza.

Which of the following is an example of a perlocutionary act?

• A teacher saying, "Please open your books to page 10."

• A student feeling inspired after hearing a motivational speech.

• A friend stating, "It's raining outside."

• A parent telling their child, "Clean your room."

Answer explanation

A perlocutionary act refers to the effect of a speech act on the listener. The student feeling inspired after a motivational speech exemplifies this, as it shows the impact of the speaker's words on the audience's emotions.

A judge declares, "You are sentenced to five years in prison." What type of illocutionary act is this?

• Assertive

• Directive

• Commissive

• Declaration

Answer explanation

The judge's statement is a declaration because it brings about a change in the legal status of the individual. Declarations create new states of affairs, such as sentencing, rather than merely stating facts or requesting actions.

If someone says, "Thank you for helping me," what kind of illocutionary act are they using?

• Assertive

• Commissive

• Expressive

• Directive

Answer explanation

The phrase "Thank you for helping me" expresses gratitude, which is an emotional response. This type of illocutionary act is classified as an expressive, as it conveys the speaker's feelings rather than stating facts or making requests.

During a meeting, a manager says, "We need to complete this project by Friday." What type of illocutionary act is the manager performing?

• Expressive

• Commissive

• Directive

• Declaration

Answer explanation

The manager's statement "We need to complete this project by Friday" is a directive. It expresses a request or command for the team to take action, which aligns with the definition of a directive illocutionary act.

Sarah says to her friend, "I promise I'll help you with your homework tomorrow." Which speech act is Sarah performing?

• Declaration

• Expressive

• Commissive

• Directive

Answer explanation

Sarah is making a promise to help her friend, which is a commitment to perform an action in the future. This type of speech act is classified as a commissive, as it expresses the speaker's intention to do something.

A teacher says, "It's really cold in here, isn't it?" and the students immediately close the windows. Which speech act is reflected by the students' actions?

• Locutionary

• Illocutionary

• Perlocutionary

Answer explanation

The students' actions of closing the windows reflect a perlocutionary act, as they respond to the teacher's statement about the cold by taking action, demonstrating the effect of the speech act on their behavior.

John says, "Wow, what an amazing view!" In this scenario, which illocutionary act is John performing?

• Assertive

• Expressive

• Directive

• Commissive

Answer explanation

John's exclamation "Wow, what an amazing view!" expresses his feelings about the view, making it an expressive illocutionary act. He is conveying admiration rather than asserting a fact, directing someone, or committing to an action.

During a ceremony, the mayor announces, "I now pronounce you husband and wife." What type of illocutionary act is the mayor performing?

• Expressive

• Declaration

• Directive

• Assertive

Answer explanation

The mayor's statement "I now pronounce you husband and wife" is a declaration, as it brings about a change in the status of the individuals involved. This act creates a new social reality, fitting the definition of a declaration.