8.1 Features of Spoken Language

Which of the following best describes an "utterance" in the context of discourse analysis?

• A long speech given by a single speaker

• A complete sentence spoken by a participant

• Any unit of speech bounded by silence

• A written text used in conversation

What is the primary function of "body language" in communication?

• To replace verbal communication entirely

• To provide non-verbal cues that complement verbal messages

• To confuse the listener

• To serve as a formal language system

In a conversation, what does "turn-taking" refer to?

• The process of one person speaking continuously without interruption

• The structured exchange of speaking roles between participants

• The act of changing the topic abruptly

• The use of body language to communicate

Which of the following is an example of an "adjacency pair" in conversation?

• A question followed by a related answer

• Two unrelated statements made by different speakers

• A monologue delivered by one speaker

• A series of rhetorical questions

What does "conversational floor" mean in the context of a discussion?

• The physical space where a conversation takes place

• The right or opportunity to speak in a conversation

• The opening statement of a conversation

• The conclusion of a discussion

How does "status" influence communication in a group setting?

• It determines the language used by all participants

• It affects the power dynamics and who controls the conversation

• It has no impact on communication

• It only influences non-verbal communication

What is a "topic shift" in a conversation?

• The introduction of a new subject or theme

• The repetition of the same topic

• The conclusion of a conversation

• The use of silence to communicate

Which of the following best describes "feedback" in a conversational context?

• The process of ignoring the speaker

• The verbal and non-verbal responses given to a speaker

• The act of changing the topic

• The use of formal language

In discourse analysis, how is "discourse" generally defined?

• A single word used in conversation

• A structured series of written texts

• A connected series of spoken or written communication

• A random collection of sentences

What role does "status" play in determining the "conversational floor"?

• It has no role in determining the conversational floor

• It dictates who is allowed to speak and when

• It only affects the volume of speech

• It determines the physical location of the conversation