Question

Identify which of the following are contextual features that may give us clues as to the meaning of a sentence?A. What has just been said by other speakers. B. The social setting. C. Expectations of the audience. D. Personal goals of the speakers.

Answer 1

Answer:

All of these provide clues to some degree which can help in determining the meaning of a sentence.

Explanation:

A. Listening to other speakers gives clues about the tone of the discussion. The tone is very important in determining the contextual meaning of a sentence.

B. The social setting can give us clues about the tenor of what is being discussed. This tenor will essentially define the context of the sentence, or what is being said as a whole.

C. The audience's expectation dictates how information is being imparted, which would indicate what meaning certain terms or phrases might have in the specific context of what the audience is expecting to hear.

D. This will provide the lowest clues. Even though personal goals do have the ability of dictate the context, it is much more influenced by the three other factors listed above. Whatever the personal goals of the speaker are, for them to effectively impart their message, they have to take into account the other three factors.