Critical Period Hypothesis Quiz

What is a critical period?

• A time when learning is impossible

• A time when learning is easiest and fastest

• A time for rest

• A time when adults stop learning

What is imprinting in animals?

• Writing their name

• Following other animals for food

• Copying the behavior of an adult

• Playing with their siblings

What animal is mentioned in the example of imprinting?

• Cats

• Monkeys

• Ducklings

• Dogs

What is the main idea of the Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH)?

• People can learn languages at any age

• Learning is always easy for children

• There is a special time to learn a language well

• Adults learn faster than children

Who is best known for writing about the CPH in first language learning?

• David Birdsong

• Eric Lenneberg

• Steven Pinker

• Thomas Bever

What age did Lenneberg believe the critical period ends?

• 5 years

• 9 years

• Puberty (around 13)

• 21 years

What does Steven Pinker believe about language acquisition ability?

• It improves with age

• It stays forever

• It disappears after it is used

• It is stronger in adults

What does the “less is more” hypothesis say about children?

• They learn slowly

• Their limited thinking helps them learn better

• They don’t understand grammar

• They forget easily

According to Flege’s Speech Learning Model, what helps new sound categories form?

• Sound similarity with L1

• Sound difference from L1

• Repetition

• Listening to music

What happens if L2 sounds are too similar to L1 sounds?

• They are learned better

• They create a new category

• They are merged with L1 and mispronounced

• They are ignored completely