All AP Psychology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #61 : Cognition
What makes the sentence "Avoid biting dogs" ambiguous?
This sentence is not ambiguous and should only have one interpretation. Since it is commonly known that one should avoid dangerous dogs, the sentence means "avoid dogs that bite".
All of these
In one interpretation, "avoid" and "biting" are closer together. In the other, "biting" is more closely associated with "dogs". Hence, there are two senses of the same expression.
This sentence is not ambiguous and should only have one interpretation. Since we know to treat animals humanely, the sentence means "do not bite dogs".
None of these
In one interpretation, "avoid" and "biting" are closer together. In the other, "biting" is more closely associated with "dogs". Hence, there are two senses of the same expression.
This is a classic example of structural ambiguity in English. That is, ambiguity in meaning caused by two different structural interpretations. When "avoid" and "biting" are interpreted as closer together, you get the meaning "do not bite dogs". When "biting" and "dogs" are interpreted as closer together, you get the meaning "avoid dangerous dogs who bite".
Example Question #1081 : Ap Psychology
Which of the following is evidence to support Noam Chomsky's theory that language acquisition is a biologically inherited capability?
Children acquire language rapidly and efficiently
Language development occurs in similar stages among children across different cultures
Children will try out different grammatical rules that are not apart of the language they are exposed to
All of these
Even deaf children make up languages
All of these
Noam Chomsky believes that we biologically inherit a "Language Acquisition Device" that is responsible for acquiring our native language. Though there has been a lot of opposition from those who support that our environment predominantly shapes us, the evidence is in favor of Chomsky's view. The reasons are the following:
Despite not being able to hear any languages spoken, deaf children make up languages.
Children will try out different grammatical rules that are not apart of the language they are exposed to. For instance, a child learning English may be found trying out Swiss forms of negation despite never hearing a single word of Swiss.
Children acquire language rapidly and efficiently.
Language development occurs in similar stages among children across different cultures.
Example Question #22 : Language
Do animal forms of communication have syntax?
No
None of these
It's still unknown
Yes, it is suspected that apes will soon evolve to communicate as humans do
Yes, but in limited forms
No
Animal forms of communication do not have rules for combining the symbols they use. The closest form of animal communication to humans is found among apes. Yet even when taught language in various studies, apes could not distinguish the different between "I eat an apple" or "Apple eat I". The rules that make this distinction are essential components of human language that are not found in animal communication.
Example Question #1082 : Ap Psychology
What is a "concept" according to semantics?
It is an inspired idea acquired through conscious thought and reasoning
It is a rule that guides our social behavior
It is a mental category that groups similar objects, events, qualities, or actions
It is a stereotype
None of these
It is a mental category that groups similar objects, events, qualities, or actions
A "concept" is a mental category that groups similar objects, events, qualities, or actions. It summarizes information, enabling us to think quickly. We usually acquire a large amount of concepts when we are younger. For instance, when we are young we learn what color means and what this concept embodies. We learn that an animal is any being that is animate and possesses a nervous system. These concepts help us quickly process information so that we are not always trying to figure out semantic meaning.
Example Question #24 : Language
How does a prototype relate to a concept?
A prototype is the word that defines a concept
A prototype contradicts a concept
A prototype justifies a concept
None of these
A prototype is a typical example of a concept
A prototype is a typical example of a concept
A "prototype" is a typical example of a concept. That is, it is a part of the data set that a concept embodies and is most commonly though of when the concept is being referenced. For instance, when we think of the concept of color we will more often think of blue instead of black, where blue is more representative of the concept of "color" then black is.
Example Question #25 : Language
Which of the following are necessary qualifications for a system of communication be considered a language?
All speakers can comprehend it
All of these
Some form of symbolic representation
Rules for symbolic representation
Generativity
All of these
Although there are many systems of communication present in nature, that doesn't mean they are all considered languages. There are certain properties of human language that make it universally distinct from all other forms of communication. These properties, as laid out by linguists, are generativity, universal comprehension, symbolic representation and rules for how the symbols are combined. The ability to talk about things that are not immediately apparent is included in symbolic representation, which most other systems of communication do not include.
Example Question #26 : Language
In language acquisition theory, empiricism states that which of the following achieves learning?
Survival necessity
Sensory input
Cognitive reasoning
Environmental input
Perception
Sensory input
Empiricism states that sensory input informs learning, and that learning is a series of trial and error processes.
Example Question #1083 : Ap Psychology
Which of the following is a body of thought that contradicts Noam Chomsky's view of generative grammar?
Gramscism
Functionalism
Existentialism
Dialectical Materialism
Socialism
Functionalism
Functionalism is a body of thought that contradicts Chomsky's theory of generative grammar. Functionalism holds that language is ultimately limited and not infinite and generative grammar proposes. Chomsky also proposes there is not particular reason motivating syntax. As in, a noun isn't at the beginning of a sentence because it is particularly more important than any other word. Functionalists believe there are reasons like these motivating and influencing grammar.
The other answers are philosophical bodies of thought that have more to do with human organization and identity than anything to do with language.
Example Question #1084 : Ap Psychology
Saying that a job demotion is a "growth opportunity" is an example of which of the following linguistic phenomena?
Common distribution
Contrastive distribution
Manipulative speech
Semantic slanting
Disturbing speech
Semantic slanting
Semantic slanting is used when a person wants to say the same thing but affect their listener in a different way. It can be highly manipulative and is often used in advertising or politically sensitive situations. Take as an example the given question, a person gets demoted but is told that they are being "given" a "growth opportunity" as opposed to having their current position taken away from them. Semantic slanting is not always necessarily manipulative. The speaker may regard what they are framing in a different light as true; therefore, he or she will be using semantic slanting in a genuine manner. For instance, if I want to say a person does not look good in a hat, then I might say, "I think other hats suit you better.”
Example Question #74 : Cognition
Which of the following is an example of a sound error?
Saying "my mom went to the store" instead of "my dad went to the store"
Saying "cart smat" instead of "smart cat"
None of these
Saying "me goes to the store"
Saying "ran" instead of "running"
Saying "cart smat" instead of "smart cat"
Saying "cart smat" instead of "smart cat" is an example of a sound error. This is because the speaker knows the final sounds of each word is similar and mixes up their initial sounds. This is an easy mistake because the resulting error words sound like they could reasonably be a part of the English language. The other answers were examples of grammatical or content errors.