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Reading Comprehension Quiz (Steven Pinker, “Words Don’t Mean What They Mean”)

Reading Comprehension Quiz

Steven Pinker, “Words Don’t Mean What They Mean”

Read “Words Don’t Mean What They Mean” and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Click the submit button when finished.

Question Why does Pinker claim that people engage in the hypocrisy of saying one thing but meaning another?

1. Why does Pinker claim that people engage in the hypocrisy of saying one thing but meaning another?

Human beings are incapable of saying exactly what is on their mind because language is not a natural tool.

Speech acts are meant to engage the audience in such a way that what the speaker is trying to say is recognizable without it having to be said.

Through these speech acts, humans are establishing social relationships, not merely communicating.

All of the above.

Question Pinker uses examples of “sexual come-ons.” Why might this particular type of situation lead to indirect communication?

2. Pinker uses examples of “sexual come-ons.” Why might this particular type of situation lead to indirect communication?

Suggesting sex to someone both directly and indirectly can lead to misunderstandings that could lead to jail or loss of status among friends.

Sexual come-ons are intended to be funny and may lead to people laughing at an inappropriate moment.

Through the use of electronic media, the ambiguity is gone and the invitation is more easily communicated.

None of the above.

Question What role does Pinker suggest that vagueness in communication plays in our daily life?

3. What role does Pinker suggest that vagueness in communication plays in our daily life?

Vagueness only leads to confusion and Pinker suggests that we must eliminate it from language.

If a speaker is purposefully vague, both the listener and the speaker can plead ignorance if offense is taken.

Vagueness allows the listeners to be more in control of any given situation.

Vagueness allows the speaker to be more in control of any given situation.

Question In paragraph 6, what metaphor is Pinker utilizing to convey the idea of information transfer in communication?

4. In paragraph 6, what metaphor is Pinker utilizing to convey the idea of information transfer in communication?

a sales pitch in a fund-raising dinner

modems downloading information

two people speaking to each other

None of the above.

Question Pinker suggests that lines like “Do you think you could pass the salt”? and “If you could pass the salt that would be awesome” are

5. Pinker suggests that lines like “Do you think you could pass the salt”? and “If you could pass the salt that would be awesome” are

unnecessary and should be omitted from our conversation.

bothersome conversational hang-ups of 20th century politeness.

laughably redundant and ultimately meaningless.

overly wordy, but still function to establish relationships.

Question Pinker notes that when people are being polite to waitresses, servers, drivers, etc., they are doing it because

6. Pinker notes that when people are being polite to waitresses, servers, drivers, etc., they are doing it because

it would be rude to come across as superior to the laborers.

service industry professionals deserve more respect from the general public.

in America we utilize language norms to actively uphold equality and democracy.

None of the above.

Question Why might Pinker have used the Tootsie and Seinfeld references in his article?

7. Why might Pinker have used the Tootsie and Seinfeld references in his article?

These two shows are so well-known in American culture that the specific scenes are easily recognizable.

The art of the “sexual come-on” is so subtle that everyone should work to understand it better.

The situations illustrated in each program were such that anyone can identify with them and understand them.

None of the above.

Question Pinker writes the question “So how do lobbyists in Gucci Gulch bribe legislators today”? What does Pinker presume in this question?

8. Pinker writes the question: “So how do lobbyists in Gucci Gulch bribe legislators today”? What does Pinker presume in this question?

Lobbyists bribe legislators.

Most lobbyists wear expensive clothing.

Legislators are open to bribery if worded correctly.

All of the above.