Free TEFL Vocabulary Terminology Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The word "slang" describes the unique language that members of specific groups, such teens, LGBT people, rap artists, etc., employ.
- impolite
- incorrect
- informal (Correct answer)
Correct answer: informal
Slang refers to words or phrases that are considered very informal and are typically used in casual conversation, often within specific social groups or subcultures. It is not necessarily impolite or incorrect, but rather deviates from formal language.
Question 2: Which has an idiom in it?
- I was telling a joke
- I was making you laugh
- I was pulling your leg (Correct answer)
Correct answer: I was pulling your leg
'Pulling your leg' is a common English idiom meaning to tease or joke with someone by telling them something untrue. Options A and B describe actions directly, while C uses a figurative expression that doesn't literally mean pulling a leg, making it an idiom.
Question 3: Often used terms that are seen to detract from written English are referred to as
- clichés (Correct answer)
- sayings
- collocations
Correct answer: clichés
Clichés are phrases or expressions that have become overused and therefore lack originality or impact in written English. They are often seen as detracting from the quality of writing because they can make it sound uninspired or predictable. Recognizing and avoiding clichés helps writers produce more fresh and engaging content.
Question 4: A "chunk" is any sequence of words that have a distinct meaning and are learnt and understood in the same manner as a single word, like
- Tom suddenly said
- all of a sudden (Correct answer)
- all much too suden
Correct answer: all of a sudden
A 'chunk' in language learning refers to a sequence of words that are learned and understood as a single unit, much like a single word, because they have a distinct, fixed meaning. 'All of a sudden' is a classic example of a chunk, functioning as an idiomatic phrase meaning 'suddenly.' Unlike 'Tom suddenly said,' which is a grammatical sentence, 'all of a sudden' is a fixed expression.
Question 5: Which of these is an interjection?
- You're welcome
- Look out! (Correct answer)
- Are you ready?
Correct answer: Look out!
An interjection is a word or phrase that expresses a sudden feeling or emotion, often standing apart from the rest of the sentence and typically followed by an exclamation mark. 'Look out!' serves this purpose, conveying a sudden warning or alarm. In contrast, 'You're welcome' is a polite response, and 'Are you ready?' is a question.
Question 6: "Onomatopoeia" describes words that _____ the object they are meant to represent.
- look like
- sound like (Correct answer)
- feel like
Correct answer: sound like
Onomatopoeia describes words that phonetically imitate or suggest the sound that they represent. These words mimic the sound of the action or object they describe, making the language more vivid and descriptive. Examples include 'buzz,' 'hiss,' 'meow,' and 'splash.'
Question 7: Which phrase describes the way certain phrases frequently occur together, like in spend time and study hard?
- colloquial
- collocation (Correct answer)
- convergence
Correct answer: collocation
Collocation refers to the natural pairing or habitual co-occurrence of words in a language. Certain words tend to appear together more often than by chance, forming common phrases like 'spend time' or 'study hard.' Understanding collocations is crucial for EFL learners to achieve natural-sounding and fluent English.
The word "slang" describes the unique language that members of specific groups, such teens, LGBT people, rap artists, etc., employ.