The effects of technology on language

Answer choices

1. A

   Out of Scope: adversely11% picked this

   Technology can adversely affect the nature of relationships

   The only effect we heard about was that relationships are more causal than before, and there's no common sense link from "more casual" to "adversely affected".

   11%
2. B

   Correct84% picked this

   Changes in communication media can cause interpersonal relationships

   Why this is right

   This is supported by the final sentence (which has a pronoun referring to the second to last sentence). When email came on the scene, it led to a "widespread loosening of language usage rules". Both communicating by email and relaxing language usage rules are examples of changes in communication. The final sentence says that this in turn made relationships between people (interpersonal relationship) more causal (which means they changed). Since the language is so soft, X can cause Y, we only need one example of this happening to fully support that it is a true statement. Thus we can basically prove this answer is true based on the statements we read.

   Skill tested: Most Supported · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   84%
3. C

   Reversed Causal Direction1% picked this

   A decrease in linguistic sophistication can lead to an increase in

   The paragraph only spoke of Technology leading to changes in Language. This answer is talking about a change in Language leadings to a change in Technology. We don't have any support for causality in that direction.

   1%
4. D

   Out of Scope: overly rigid / improve2% picked this

   A widespread loosening of overly rigid language-usage rules can

   This answer is adding two judgments that weren't anywhere in the prompt. We heard that there was a loosening of language usage rules, but that doesn't mean that previously people adhered in an overly rigid fashion. It could mean that NOW they adhere in an overly lax fashion and that the previous standard was preferable. We also heard that relationships got more casual, but there's no common sense link between "more causal communication" and "improved communication". That would just be someone's opinion. There are many opinions to the contrary from people who like the politeness and beauty of more formal speech.

   2%
5. E

   Reversed Causal Direction2% picked this

   Changes in interpersonal relationships can cause changes in the way people speak

   The paragraph only spoke of changes in Language leading to changes in Culture / Interpersonal Relationships. This answer is talking about a change in Interpersonal Relationships leading to a change in Language. We don't have any support for causality in that direction.

   2%