First Language Acquisition Quiz

What is the term for the smallest unit of meaning in a language?

• semantics

• syntax

• morpheme

• phoneme

Which theory suggests that children learn language through imitation and reinforcement?

• Cognitivism

• Innatism

• Behaviorism

• Interactionism

What does the Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH) suggest about language acquisition?

• It is unaffected by age

• It is easier before age 8

• It is harder before age 8

• It is easier after age 8

Who are the two key theorists associated with Interactionist perspectives?

• Chomsky and Skinner

• Piaget and Vygotsky

• Lightbown and Spada

• Pinter and Chomsky

What is the 'zone of proximal development' (ZPD)?

• The gap between current and potential knowledge

• A type of reinforcement

• A stage of cognitive development

• A method of language teaching

According to Piaget, which stage comes after the pre-operational stage?

• Sensori-motor

• Concrete operational

• Post-operational

• Formal operational

What is a limitation of the Behaviorism theory in language acquisition?

• It does not account for social interaction

• It overemphasizes cognitive development

• It ignores the role of reinforcement

• It does not explain complex grammar acquisition

What is the term for the innate ability to acquire language according to Innatism?

• Social Interaction

• Behavioral Learning

• Cognitive Development

• Universal Grammar

What is emphasized in Vygotsky's theory of language development?

• Cognitive stages

• Social interaction

• Reinforcement

• Imitation

What is the primary focus of Behaviorism in language acquisition?

• Cognitive development

• Imitation and reinforcement

• Innate abilities

• Social interaction