Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate themcorrect answer to each of the questions from 38 to 42. LEVELS OF VOCABULARY 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...
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Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate themcorrect answer to each of the questions from 38 to 42.
LEVELS OF VOCABULARY
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, 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 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 labels 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 three types of expressions.
How is slang defined by the author?
A. Words and phrases accepted by the majority of formal usage.
B. Words or phrases understood by the majority but not found in standard dictionaries.
C. Words or phrases that are understood by a restricted group of speakers.
D. Words or phrases understood by a large number of speakers but not accepted as formal usage.
a) Parts of a house: attic, balcony, basement, cellar, conservatory, drive, extension, garage, hall, landing, porch, shutters, sliding doors, stairs.
(Các thành phần của ngôi nhà: gác xép, ban công, tầng hầm, hầm, nhà kính, lối vào, phần mở rộng, nhà để xe, sảnh, chân cầu thang, hiên, cửa chớp, cửa kéo, cầu thang.)
b) In a garden: fence, flower bed, gate, hedge, lawn, path, patio, pond, swimming pool.
(Trong vườn: hàng rào, bồn hoa, cổng, hàng rào, bãi cỏ, lối đi, sân trong, ao, bể bơi.)