History of the Language: Wolfram Quiz

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For each question, use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate choice for that question. Please read carefully, as each question can ask for very different sorts of information. Once you have chosen the best answer for each question, click on "Submit for Grading" to proceed.

1. Speakers who want to identify themselves as Texan, or 
   associate themselves with Texas, will employ marked features such 
   as "fixin' to" in the same way they might wear cowboy boots. 

   
   (click here) FALSE TRUE

2. Varieties of African American English used to be more 
   similar to cohort (neighboring) white varieties...

   
   (click here) FALSE TRUE

3. The Southern vowel shift is progressing in predominately... 

   
   (click here) Cities Rural areas

4. Dialects are best characterized as... 

   
   (click here) Patterned and regular variations of the parent language Deviant versions of a standard language

5. Black Vernacular English is becoming increasingly 
   dissimilar to Standard American English. 

   
   (click here) TRUE FALSE

6. Which of the following does NOT follow the patterning 
   of "habitual BE" in African American English?
   

   
   (click here) He be tired right now. He usually be tired when he comes home from work.

7. The Northern vowel shift is primarily associated with... 

   
   (click here) Cities Rural areas

8. The use of "Habitual BE" has increased dramatically 
   in the second half of the 20th century. 

   
   (click here) FALSE TRUE

9. Language variation is a fundamental means of expressing identity. 

   
   (click here) FALSE TRUE

10. According to Wolfram, American dialects...

    
    (click here) Are levelling because of the influence of the media, etc. American dialects are actually becoming more dissimilar.

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