Languages

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Languages

by reply2spg » Sun Aug 15, 2010 1:57 pm
I don't have a source for most of the questions. However, these questions are discussed on BTG in 2008. Hope that these are good for practice. Let me know if anyone knows the source, so that I will not post these questions

In many languages other than English there is a word for "mother's brother" which is different from the word for "father's brother," whereas English uses the word "uncle" for both. Thus, speakers of these languages evidence a more finely discriminated kinship system than English speakers do. The number of basic words for colors also varies widely from language to language. Therefore, speakers of languages that have fewer basic words for colors than English has must be perceptually unable to distinguish as many colors as speakers of English can distinguish.

13. The conclusion concerning words for colors would be properly draw if which one of the following were assumed?

(A) Most languages have distinct words for "sister" and "brother."
(B) Each language has a different basic word for each sensory quality that its speakers can perceptually distinguish.
(C) Every language makes some category distinctions that no other language makes.
(D) In any language short, frequently used words express categories that are important for its speakers to distinguish perceptually from each other.
(E) Speaker of languages with relatively few basic words for colors live in geographical regions where flora and fauna do not vary greatly in color.

OA Later
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by beatthegmatinsept » Sun Aug 15, 2010 2:19 pm
13. The conclusion concerning words for colors would be properly draw if which one of the following were assumed?

(A) Most languages have distinct words for "sister" and "brother."
(B) Each language has a different basic word for each sensory quality that its speakers can perceptually distinguish.
(C) Every language makes some category distinctions that no other language makes.
(D) In any language short, frequently used words express categories that are important for its speakers to distinguish perceptually from each other.
(E) Speaker of languages with relatively few basic words for colors live in geographical regions where flora and fauna do not vary greatly in color.

OA Later[/quote]

Cant decide between B and E. B seems like a more general statement proving the point, while E talks specifically about colors. Given that I'd go for E.

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by reply2spg » Sun Aug 15, 2010 2:28 pm
If 'flora and fauna do not vary greatly in color' how will that help us to proceed to conclusion? Conclusion says that people are unable to distinguish as many colors as speakers of English can distinguish.

However, it also says that people with fewer words have less color than what english has. E says that 'flora and fauna' has only one color.

How does it be the assumption?
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by beatthegmatinsept » Sun Aug 15, 2010 2:36 pm
reply2spg wrote:If 'flora and fauna do not vary greatly in color' how will that help us to proceed to conclusion? Conclusion says that people are unable to distinguish as many colors as speakers of English can distinguish.

However, it also says that people with fewer words have less color than what english has. E says that 'flora and fauna' has only one color.

How does it be the assumption?
Conclusion: Therefore, speakers of languages that have fewer basic words for colors than English has must be perceptually unable to distinguish as many colors as speakers of English can distinguish.
Meaning - Since people of those languages are not able to distinguish as many colors, they have fewer basic words for colors.

E says - people who speak languages with relatively fewer words for colors live in areas where flora and fauna do not vary greatly. Meaning - because those people don't see much variety in color around them, they are able to distinguish only few colors, thus leading to fewer words for colors.

Does this help at all?

Is E the OA?

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by reply2spg » Sun Aug 15, 2010 2:44 pm
Sorry Buddy, but you understood conclusion exactly opposite way.

OA is not E
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by beatthegmatinsept » Sun Aug 15, 2010 3:00 pm
Really? I still dont see how.. :(

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by reply2spg » Sun Aug 15, 2010 3:05 pm
Conclusion - Since, people have fewer words for color than that of english, therefore, they have problem in distinguishing

You understood - Since, people have problem in distinguishing, therefore, their language has fewer words for colors.

Hope this helps!!!
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by debmalya_dutta » Sun Aug 15, 2010 5:22 pm
My pick is B...What is the OA ?



reply2spg wrote:Conclusion - Since, people have fewer words for color than that of english, therefore, they have problem in distinguishing

You understood - Since, people have problem in distinguishing, therefore, their language has fewer words for colors.

Hope this helps!!!
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by rashmi.kaushal » Mon Aug 16, 2010 2:27 am
Is it E ?

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by reply2spg » Mon Aug 16, 2010 5:46 am
OA is B guys
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