Task 3. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions 16 – 22. Most languages have several levels of vocabulary that may be used by the same speakers. In English, at least three have been identified and described. Standard usage includes those words and expressions understood, used, and accepted by a majority of the speakers of a language in any situation regardless of the level of formality. As such, these words and expressions are well defined and listed in standard dictionaries. Colloquialisms, on the other hand, are familiar words and idioms that are understood by almost all speakers of a language and used in informal speech or writing, but not considered acceptable for more formal situations. Almost all idiomatic expressions are colloquial language. Slang, however, refers to words and expressions understood by a large number of speakers but not accepted as appropriate formal usage by the majority. Colloquial expressions and even slang may be found in standard dictionaries but will be so identified. Both colloquial usage and slang are more common in speech than in writing. Colloquial speech often passes into standard speech. Some slang also passes into standard speech, but other slang expressions enjoy momentary popularity followed by obscurity. In some cases, the majority never accepts certain slang phrases but nevertheless retains them in their collective memories. Every generation seems to require its own set of words to describe familiar objects and events. It has been pointed out by a number of linguists that three cultural conditions are necessary for the creation of a large body of slang expressions. First, the introduction and acceptance of new objects and situations in the society; second, a diverse population with a large number of subgroups; third, association among the subgroups and the majority population. Finally, it is worth noting that the terms ''standard", "colloquial”, and "slang” exist only as abstract levels for scholars who study language. Only a tiny number of the speakers of any language will be aware that they are using colloquial or slang expressions. Most speakers of English will, during appropriate situations, select and use all three types of expressions.
Câu 1: Which of the following is the main topic of the passage?
A. Standard speech
B. Idiomatic phrases
C. Dictionary usage
D. Different types of vocabulary
Câu 2: The word "appropriate” is closest in meaning to .
A. old
B. correct
C. important
D. large
Câu 3: The word "obscurity" could best be replaced by .
A. qualification
B. disappearance
C. influence
D. tolerance
Câu 4: The word "them" refers to .
A. slang phrases
B. words
C. the majority
D. memories
Câu 5: Where in the passage does the author explain where colloquial language and slang are most commonly used?
A. The last sentences of paragraph 2.
B. The last sentences of paragraph 3.
C. The first two sentences of paragraph 2.
D. The last two sentences of paragraph 5.
Câu 6: The author mentions all of the following as requirements for slang expressions to be created EXCEPT .
A. a number of linguists
B. a new generation
C. interaction among diverse groups
D. new situations
Câu 7: It can be inferred from the passage that the author .
A. does not approve of colloquial usage in writing
B. approve of slang and colloquial speech in appropriate situations
C. does not approve of either slang or colloquial speech in any situation
D. approves of colloquial speech in some situations, but not slang
A.
B.
C.
D.