Lexis And Semantics

Question 1

What is the study of lexis and semantics focused on?

Answer 1

The vocabulary system of English

Question 2

Define denotative meaning.

Answer 2

The literal, dictionary definition of a word

Question 3

Define connotative meaning.

Answer 3

The emotional or cultural association with a word

Question 4

What are signifiers in semiotics?

Answer 4

Words that represent or signify ideas

Question 5

What is a metaphor?

Answer 5

A figure of speech that describes something by comparing it to something else

Question 6

What are semantic fields?

Answer 6

Groups of words related in meaning

Question 7

What are synonyms?

Answer 7

Words that have similar meanings

Question 8

What are antonyms?

Answer 8

Words that have opposite meanings

Question 9

Define hypernyms.

Answer 9

Words that denote a general category

Question 10

Define hyponyms.

Answer 10

Words that denote a specific instance of a category

Question 11

What does the variation in vocabulary choices depend on?

Answer 11

Audience and purpose

Question 12

What is meant by specialist registers?

Answer 12

Vocabulary specific to a particular profession or group

Question 13

What are sociolects?

Answer 13

Variations in language use among different social groups

Question 14

What do dialects reflect?

Answer 14

Variations according to group membership and geographical locality

Question 15

How does text design reflect language use?

Answer 15

It shows variation between individuals, groups, communities, and nations

Question 16

What are the processes through which new words are formed?

Answer 16

• Blending
• Compounding
• Clipping
• Forming acronyms
• Forming initialisms
• Creating eponyms

Question 17

What is semantic narrowing?

Answer 17

When a word’s meaning becomes more specific over time

Question 18

What is semantic broadening?

Answer 18

When a word’s meaning becomes more general over time

Question 19

What is amelioration?

Answer 19

When a word takes on a more positive meaning over time

Question 20

What is pejoration?

Answer 20

When a word takes on a more negative meaning over time

Question 21

What is semantic reclamation?

Answer 21

The process of taking back a word that has been used negatively and redefining it positively

Question 22

What are denotative and connotative meanings?

Answer 22

Denotative meanings are the literal meanings of words, while connotative meanings are the associated meanings.

Question 23

What is figurative language?

Answer 23

Language used in a non-literal way to describe something in another’s terms, such as simile or metaphor.

Question 24

Define semantic fields.

Answer 24

Groups of words connected by a shared field of reference, such as medicine or art.

Question 25

What are synonyms?

Answer 25

Words that have equivalent meanings.

Question 26

What are antonyms?

Answer 26

Words that have contrasting meanings.

Question 27

What are hypernyms?

Answer 27

Words that label categories, such as 'animal' which includes dog, cat, and rabbit.

Question 28

Define hyponyms.

Answer 28

Words that can be included in a larger, more general category, like car, bus, and aeroplane as forms of the hypernym transport.

Question 29

What are levels of formality?

Answer 29

Vocabulary styles including slang, colloquialisms, taboo, formal, and fixed levels.

Question 30

What is an occupational register?

Answer 30

A technical vocabulary associated with a particular occupation or activity.

Question 31

Define sociolect.

Answer 31

A language style associated with a particular social group.

Question 32

What is a dialect?

Answer 32

A language style associated with a particular geographical region.

Question 33

Fill in the blank: _______ refers to words that have equivalent meanings.

Answer 33

Synonyms

Question 34

Fill in the blank: _______ are words that label categories.

Answer 34

Hypernyms

Question 35

True or False: Hyponyms can include broader categories.

Answer 35

True

Question 36

True or False: Figurative language is used literally.

Answer 36

False

Question 37

What is neology?

Answer 37

The process of new word formation, including blends, compounds, acronyms, initialisms, and eponyms.

Question 38

What are the components of neology?

Answer 38

* Blends * Compounds * Acronyms * Initialisms * Eponyms

Question 39

What is semantic change?

Answer 39

The process of words changing meaning.

Question 40

What are the types of semantic change?

Answer 40

* Narrowing * Broadening * Amelioration * Pejoration * Semantic reclamation

Question 41

Fill in the blank: The process of new word formation is called _______.

Answer 41

[neology]

Question 42

True or False: Semantic change only involves the broadening of word meanings.

Answer 42

False

Question 43

Fill in the blank: In neology, a word formed by combining parts of two words is called a _______.

Answer 43

[blend]