Language Change & Variation — Drills · Grade 11 English
Chapter: Language, Style & ConventionsWhat these drills covers
By the end of Language Change & Variation you should be able to:
- I can explain that usage is a matter of convention that changes over time and is sometimes contested, rather than a fixed set of natural laws.
- I can recognize language variation across communities and registers, and shift deliberately between varieties to fit my audience and purpose.
2 questions, written answer, each with a worked explanation.
Vocabulary used: convention, dialect, Standard English, prescriptivism vs. descriptivism.
Problem 1
Answer and explanation
Language changes across time, communities, and settings. A word can acquire new meanings, and a construction can be conventional in one variety while uncommon in another. Show an actual application before considering the method recalled.
Use the criteria to compare your reasoning, not to copy the model’s wording. A supported alternative interpretation may earn full credit.
Response criteria
- Make an accurate, focused claim or revision.
- Use a relevant detail or a clearly explained language choice.
- Explain the relationship and recognize a relevant limit.
Problem 2
Answer and explanation
Identify the variety and its context. Evaluate suitability for a task without equating a dialect with lack of intelligence or meaning.
Use the criteria to compare your reasoning, not to copy the model’s wording. A supported alternative interpretation may earn full credit.
Response criteria
- Make an accurate, focused claim or revision.
- Use a relevant detail or a clearly explained language choice.
- Explain the relationship and recognize a relevant limit.