Question 1

Which of the following best describes the 'critical period hypothesis' in second language acquisition?

Accepted Answer

It proposes that there is a biologically determined window during which language acquisition occurs most easily.

Question 2

According to research discussed in the chapter, which factor is most influential in determining the success of second language acquisition?

Accepted Answer

The amount and quality of input received in the target language

Question 3

A Turkish child who immigrates to Germany at age 5 and attends a German school is likely to achieve which level of proficiency in German, according to the studies cited?

Accepted Answer

High proficiency, but may retain some accent or grammatical errors

Question 4

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates 'transfer' in second language acquisition?

Accepted Answer

A learner uses vocabulary from their first language when speaking the second language.

Question 5

In the context of second language acquisition, what does 'fossilization' refer to?

Accepted Answer

The permanent persistence of non-native forms in the second language

Question 6

Based on the data presented, which age group tends to have the highest success rate in achieving native-like pronunciation in a second language?

Accepted Answer

Children under 7 years old

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of successful second language learners as described in the chapter?

Accepted Answer

They rely solely on explicit grammar instruction.

Question 8

A researcher finds that Bulgarian immigrants in Canada have a mean English proficiency score of $ 4.2 $ on a scale of $ 1 $ to $ 5 $. If the standard deviation is $ 0.6 $, what percentage of the group is expected to score between $ 3.6 $ and $ 4.8 $ assuming a normal distribution?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 68%

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why some adult learners never achieve native-like proficiency in a second language, according to the chapter?

Accepted Answer

Adults may experience fossilization and have less access to implicit learning mechanisms.

Question 10

If a learner’s first language (L1) has a grammatical gender system and their second language (L2) does not, what is a likely outcome in their L2 acquisition?

Accepted Answer

They may omit gender distinctions in L2, reflecting transfer from L1.

Question 11

Which equation best represents the relationship between input quantity ($ Q $) and proficiency ($ P $) in second language acquisition, as suggested by the chapter?

Accepted Answer

$ P = kQ $ where $ k $ is a constant of proportionality

Question 12

A student who learned English as a second language in a classroom setting but rarely used it outside of class is most likely to:

Accepted Answer

Develop strong explicit knowledge but weaker communicative competence

Question 13

Which of the following statements about first language knowledge and second language acquisition is supported by the chapter?

Accepted Answer

First language knowledge can both help and hinder second language acquisition.

Question 14

If a learner’s L1 lacks articles and their L2 (English) uses articles, what error is most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Omission of articles in English sentences

Question 15

Which of the following is a real-world example of 'interlanguage' as described in the chapter?

Accepted Answer

A Spanish speaker learning English says, 'She go to school yesterday.'

Question 16

A study finds that Turkish speakers learning English have a mean error rate of $ 15	ext{	extpercent} $ in article usage, while native English speakers have an error rate of $ 2	ext{	extpercent} $. What is the difference in error rates?

Accepted Answer

$ 13	ext{	extpercent} $

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the role of motivation in second language acquisition?

Accepted Answer

Motivation enhances persistence and engagement, leading to better outcomes.

Question 18

A learner who receives input in the second language only through written texts is likely to:

Accepted Answer

Have limited oral proficiency but better reading comprehension

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of 'overgeneralization' in second language acquisition?

Accepted Answer

A learner says 'goed' instead of 'went' in English.

Question 20

If a group of learners has a mean proficiency score of $ 3.5 $ with a standard deviation of $ 0.5 $, what is the z-score for a learner who scored $ 4.0 $?

Accepted Answer

$ z = 1.0 $

Second Language Acquisition: Processes, Influences, and Outcomes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards