Quiz on Martha's Vineyard

Where is Martha's Vineyard located?

• Off the coast of California

• Three miles off New England

• Near the Florida Keys

• In the Gulf of Mexico

Answer explanation

Martha's Vineyard is located three miles off the coast of New England, specifically in the Atlantic Ocean, making this the correct choice among the options provided.

What is the permanent population of Martha's Vineyard?

• 10,000

• 6,000

• 20,000

• 15,000

Answer explanation

The permanent population of Martha's Vineyard is approximately 6,000. This figure reflects the year-round residents, making it the correct choice among the options provided.

How much does the population increase during the summer on Martha's Vineyard?

• It doubles

• It triples

• It is five times the winter population

• It remains the same

Answer explanation

During the summer, Martha's Vineyard experiences a significant population increase due to tourism, reaching up to five times the winter population. This highlights the island's appeal as a summer destination.

What was the main finding of Labov's study?

• Linked to economic status

• Linked to group identity

• Linked to educational background

• Linked to geographical location

Answer explanation

Labov's study primarily found that language use is closely linked to group identity, highlighting how social factors influence linguistic variation rather than just economic or educational backgrounds.

What was the primary method Labov used to gather data?

• Surveys

• Interviews

• Experiments

• Observations

Answer explanation

Labov primarily used interviews to gather data, allowing for in-depth exploration of language use and social factors. This method provided rich qualitative insights, distinguishing it from surveys, experiments, or observations.

What was the main characteristic of the Chilmark fishermen?

• They were known for their hospitality

• They epitomized traditional values

• They were primarily tourists

• They were new to the island

Answer explanation

The Chilmark fishermen epitomized traditional values, reflecting a deep connection to their heritage and the practices of fishing that have been passed down through generations, distinguishing them from tourists or newcomers.

What was the significance of the diphthongs /au/ and /ai/ in Labov's study?

• They were the most common sounds in English

• They were not unique to Martha's Vineyard

• They represented local speech patterns

• They were irrelevant to the study

Answer explanation

In Labov's study, the diphthongs /au/ and /ai/ were significant as they represented local speech patterns, highlighting the unique linguistic features of Martha's Vineyard and how they reflected the community's identity.

What linguistic study was carried out by William Labov?

• Martha's Vineyard Study

• The Great Vowel Shift

• The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

• The Linguistic Relativity Study

Answer explanation

William Labov conducted the Martha's Vineyard Study, which examined the linguistic features of the island's residents and how social factors influenced their speech patterns. The other options are not associated with Labov.

What is a diphthong?

• A single vowel sound

• Two vowel sounds used together in a word

• A consonant cluster

• A silent letter

Answer explanation

A diphthong is defined as two vowel sounds that are combined in a single syllable of a word, creating a unique sound. This distinguishes it from a single vowel sound, consonant clusters, or silent letters.

What is overt prestige?

• Non-standard use of language to assert solidarity

• Standard, formal language use to assert power and status

• Use of slang to fit in with a group

• Informal language used in casual settings

Answer explanation

Overt prestige refers to the use of standard, formal language, which is associated with power and status in society. This contrasts with non-standard or informal language that may assert solidarity or group identity.