Varying diction and dialects

A student is writing a formal essay for their history class. Which of the following sentences uses the appropriate diction and grammar for this assignment?

• The soldiers, they wasn't ready for the attack.

• Them soldiers were caught completely by surprise.

• The soldiers were unprepared for the assault.

• The soldiers ain't had no idea what was coming.

Answer explanation

This sentence uses formal diction ('unprepared,' 'assault') and Standard English grammar, which is appropriate for a formal academic essay. The other options use informal diction or features of non-standard dialects (e.g., 'they wasn't,' 'Them soldiers,' 'ain't had no').

Match each informal phrase to its Standard English meaning.

• Hello, friend.

• What's the craic?

• That is very cool.

• That's wicked cool.

• What's happening?

• G'day, mate.

• I am getting ready to go.

• I'm fixin' to go.

Answer explanation

This matches common regional or informal phrases to their meanings in Standard English, showing how diction varies across different places and groups.

Sort these phrases by the type of diction they represent: Southern American English, Teen Slang, or Standard English.

Groups:

(a) Southern American English

,

(b) Teen Slang

,

(c) Standard English

• We should leave soon.

• I reckon it'll rain.

• No cap, it's true.

• That movie was fire.

• The meeting is at three o'clock.

• Y'all come back now.

Answer explanation

Phrases are sorted based on their origin. 'Y'all' and 'reckon' are common in Southern American English, 'fire' and 'no cap' are current teen slang, and the others follow standard conventions.

In the sentence, "I reckon we should head home before it gets dark," what does the word "reckon" mean?

• hope

• doubt

• think or suppose

• forget

Answer explanation

In many Southern American dialects, 'reckon' is used to mean 'think' or 'suppose.' The context suggests the speaker is making a judgment about what to do.

Which option best rephrases the academic sentence "The experiment's outcome was inconclusive" in everyday language?

• The experiment was a huge success.

• The experiment's results didn't prove anything.

• The experiment was too difficult to do.

• The experiment was a total failure.

Answer explanation

'Inconclusive' is an academic term meaning that no clear conclusion could be drawn. The correct option expresses this idea in simple, everyday terms.

Match each regional dialect word or phrase to its meaning in Standard English.

• A small porch or staircase at the entrance of a house

• Pop

• Very or extremely (used as an adverb)

• Wicked

• About to do something

• Fixin' to

• A carbonated soft drink

• Stoop

Answer explanation

This matches words and phrases from different regional American dialects to their Standard English meanings. 'Fixin' to' is common in the South, 'pop' in the Midwest, 'wicked' in New England, and 'stoop' in the Northeast.

In some informal dialects, a speaker might say, "I ain't got no money for the bus." How would this idea be expressed using the conventions of Standard English for formal writing?

• I don't have no money for the bus.

• I haven't no money for the bus.

• I do not have any money for the bus.

• Me ain't got money for the bus.

Answer explanation

This sentence correctly translates the idea into Standard English by replacing the non-standard 'ain't' with 'do not have' and eliminating the double negative ('no' becomes 'any'). This is the appropriate phrasing for formal contexts.

Sort these words into two groups: Everyday Language or Academic Language.

Groups:

(a) Everyday Language

,

(b) Academic Language

• examine

• obtain

• look at

• big

• substantial

• get

Answer explanation

Words are sorted based on their level of formality. 'Obtain,' 'examine,' and 'substantial' are more formal and typically used in academic or professional contexts.

A character says, "He be playing basketball after school." How would this be said in Standard English to show an ongoing action?

• He is playing basketball after school.

• He was play basketball after school.

• He been played basketball after school.

• He gonna playing basketball after school.

Answer explanation

The phrase 'He be playing' is a feature of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) indicating a habitual or ongoing action. The Standard English equivalent is 'He is playing.'

A friend from Boston says, "I'm going to the packie to get a tonic." What type of diction is this?

• Formal academic language

• Standard English

• Southern American dialect

• New England regional dialect

Answer explanation

'Packie' (for package store) and 'tonic' (for soda) are well-known regionalisms from the New England area, particularly around Boston.