Test on The Science of Communication

Question 1: Madagascan spiny-tailed iguanas use the warning calls of the Madagascan paradise flycatcher to detect incoming predators.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: Madagascan spiny-tailed iguanas have well-developed ears to hear the warning calls of the Madagascan paradise flycatcher. When an iguana hears the bird raise an alarm, it knows to be on alert for incoming predators.

Question 2: According to the study materials, which statement accurately describes animal communication dialects?

A. All animal species are known to develop distinct dialects based on their geographic region.

B. Animal dialects have been observed in acoustic communication, with examples including blue whales and some bird species.

C. Dialects are a form of chemical communication, particularly used by ants for foraging.

D. Birds living on the borders of territories with different songsters typically develop entirely new song styles, rather than becoming bilingual.

Explanation: The study materials state, 'Animals in different regions have often been overhead sounding off in different dialects. For example, one study found that blue whales produce different patterns of pulses, tones and pitches depending on where they're from. Some bird species are the same way.' This supports the idea that dialects are observed in acoustic communication in both blue whales and some bird species. The text does not say *all* animal species develop dialects, nor does it link dialects to chemical communication in ants. It also mentions that border-dwelling birds often become 'bilingual' rather than developing entirely new styles.

Question 3: Linguistic flexibility is partially a factor of personal factors.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: Kohn states that "linguistic flexibility is partially a factor of age, exposure to various inputs, social factors, but also personal factors."

Question 4: According to the study materials, which of the following examples best illustrates how words and expressions often shift in and out of popular use gradually?

A. The swift rise and fall of terms like 'fleek' or 'joshin'.

B. The evolution of 'yeah' and 'yes' into 'yessssss' and 'yaaaaas'.

C. The fabricated grunge slang terms published by The New York Times.

D. The commercial appropriation of 'bae' leading to its decline in hipness.

Explanation: The study materials state that 'More often, though, words and expressions shift in and out of popular use gradually, without much notice. Sort of the way “yeah” and “yes” have made way for “yessssss” and “yaaaaas” and “yiss.' This directly illustrates a gradual shift. The other options describe rapid fads, a fabricated incident, or the impact of commercial appropriation, which are not examples of gradual, unnoticed shifts in popular use.

Question 5: The significant role of non-native speakers in shaping English as a global lingua franca has largely been acknowledged and accepted.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: While English functions as a global lingua franca, it has tended to be denied that, as a consequence of its international use, English is being shaped at least as much by its non-native speakers as by its native speakers.