Noam Chomsky

By Himanshi Singh
 Noam Chomsky

• Avram Noam Chomsky is an American

linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist,
historian, social critic, and political
activist.

• Sometimes called "the father of modern

linguistics”.
Ø Human child is born with the innate
capacity to acquire language.
Ø We have a Language Acquisition
Device (LAD) which help us to
produce language.
Ø He talks about Universal
Grammar (UG):

● The basic postulate of UG is that a certain set of structural

rules are innate to humans, independent of sensory
experience.
Q.1 The idea that children are born
with language acquisition device is
given by:
A. Chomsky
B. Vygotsky
C. Piaget
D. Skinner
 Q.2 Which observation supports Noam
Chomsky's ideas about language
acquisition?
A. Children's language development follows a similar pattern across
cultures.
B. The stages of language development occur at about the same ages
in most children.
C. Children acquire language quickly and effortlessly.
D. All of these
 Q.3 Language Acquisition
stands for:
A. Learning a language without making any deliberate or conscious
effort.
B. Learning a language through some specific language methodology.
C. Learning a language by taking recourse to one’s mother tongue.
D. Learning a language with a deliberate and conscious effort.
Q.4 As per Noam Chomsky’s theory, the
role of Language Acquisition Device
(LAD) is to:

A. Learn languages in formal schools.

B. Imitate the language of adults.
C. Generate grammar rules.
D. Memorize grammar rules.
Q.5 Language Acquisition
stands for:
A. Learning a language without making any deliberate or conscious
effort.
B. Learning a language through some specific language
methodology.
C. Learning a language by taking recourse to one’s mother tongue.
D. Learning a language with a deliberate and conscious effort.
 Q.6 Learners acquire a
language by :
A. analysing the structure of the language.
B. studying the literature of that language.
C. learning about the culture of the speakers of that language.
D. using the language in a natural interactive environment.
Q.7 The linguist, Noam Chomsky
maintains that every child has an innate
language acquisition device (LAD) that
he/she uses for:
A. Complex words
B. Semantics
C. Phonemes
D. Universal grammar
Q.8 The ‘acquired system’ or
‘acquisition’ of a language is
the :
A. Formal skills development.
B. Subconscious process of learning.
C. Input-output process.
D. Self-monitoring of learning
Q.9 According to language acquisition
theory, when there is a lack of sufficient
information in the language input, there
is a universal grammar that applies to
all
A. Colloquial languages
B. Modern languages
C. Classical languages
D. Human languages
Q.10 For English as a second
language, ‘acquisition-poor
environment’ is one where
A. Hindi/Mother tongue is the lingua franca
B. English language is used only in the classroom
C. English is not spoken at home at all
D. Access to any learning material is unavailable to students
Q.11 Students can master complex
language structures without being aware
of the fact they are doing so, through :
A. Regular, simple grammar practice sessions
B. Teachers avoiding the teaching of structures altogether
C. Use of grammar games with a focus on relevant structures
D. More speaking and listening practice with regular feedback
Q.12 Of the following, which one is the
most important prerequisite for language
learning, whether first or second?
A. A structural-situational approach
B. Skills-based instruction
C. A multilingual approach
D. An input-rich communicational environment
Q.13 When young learners seem
to lose interest in a lesson, the
teacher should
A. allow them to go out and play
B. ask them to sleep for a while
C. tell a story or conduct an interesting activity
D. ask them to sit quietly for some time
Q.14 Fluency in English can be
developed through :
A. creating opportunities to use the target language for
communication.
B. the teacher talking for most of the time
C. the teacher being alert to spot the errors and correct them
D. allowing students who are not confident to have the freedom to
be quiet
Q.15 A teacher engages her learners in
a fun activity before beginning a new
lesson. The purpose of this activity is to

A. divert the attention of the learners

B. reduce the workload of the teacher
C. motivate and energise the learners
D. discipline the learners before the lesson
Q.16 For enabling her students to
gain mastery over English the
teacher should

(1) regularly expose the learners to a variety of language inputs

(2) constantly check the learners for all the errors they make
(3) emphasize learning of grammar
(4) stop use of their vernacular
Q.17 Language learning is better
achieved if what students learn
A. Is closer in form and sound to their mother tongue
B. Helps them improve their chances of college admission
C. Is functional in terms of their life values and goals
D. Is in a controlled classroom environment
Q.18 Generally speaking the
first language is:
A. Marked by the characteristic difficulty in mastering it
B. Marked by the influences of the school environment the child is
studying in
C. Marked by the accent and regional expressions of the area where
students grow up
D. Influenced by the grammar and style of second language
Q.19 Effective learning takes
place when students are :
A. passive
B. interactive
C. quiet
D. good at preparing for examinations
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