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Chapter 2: The Use and Abuse of Language

A) Which of the following terms is best (easiest and clearest) defined using a) ostensive definition,
b) stipulative definition, c) denotative definition. Can some of the terms be defined using more
than one approach?

1. Book
2. Sandwich
3. Horror movie
4. Danger
5. Jealousy
6. Toothbrush
7. Best friend
8. Rodent
9. Screwdriver
10. Grocery bag

B) Are the definitions given in the following passages too broad, too narrow, or both? (choose one)

1. A cat is a furry house pet.

a. too broad
b. too narrow
c. too broad and too narrow

2. Health is when you are not injured.

a. too broad
b. too narrow
c. too broad and too narrow

3. A T-shirt is a piece of clothing typically worn between the neck, waist and arms.

a. too broad
b. too narrow
c. too broad and too narrow

4. For a fast car, you must be talking about a Porsche.

a. too broad
b. too narrow
c. too broad and too narrow
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5. Tea is a cold beverage.

a. too broad
b. too narrow
c. too broad and too narrow

6. If it is red and round, it's an apple (the fruit, not the computer company!)

a. too broad
b. too narrow
c. too broad and too narrow

7. A comic book is a book that has pictures in it.

a. too broad
b. too narrow
c. too broad and too narrow

8. Poetry is just writing in rhyming verse.

a. too broad
b. too narrow
c. too broad and too narrow

9. "He stared at me all morning. That's harassment." I replied: "No it isn't. Harassment means
someone touching you somewhere on your body without your permission."

a. too broad
b. too narrow
c. too broad and too narrow

10. If you are coughing and have a runny nose this winter, then you must have the flu.

a. too broad
b. too narrow
c. too broad and too narrow
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C) Which of the following are ambiguous sentences (A) , and which are vague (V)? (Some are
apparently ‘real’ newspaper headlines.)

1. Teacher Strikes Idle Kids: A or V?

2. Angry Golfer Teed Off: A or V?
3. Enraged Cow Injures Farmer with Axe: A or V?
4. Good business is all about meeting various demands and being in the right place at the right
time: A or V?
5. Unemployment rates aren’t very good this year. A or V?
6. Local Artist's Work Reflects His Views about the World: A or V?
7. Miners Refuse to Work after Death: A or V?
8. Stolen Painting Found by Tree: A or V?
9. We're expecting stiff opposition to casket-less funerals. A or V?
10. Two convicts evaded being executed because the jury was hung. A or V?

D) Determine what is being described by each of the following English language euphemisms.

1. under the weather

2. collateral damage
3. nature calls
4. economical with the truth
5. ethnic cleansing
6. military intervention
7. passed away
8. put to sleep
9. downsize
10. pre-owned

E) In each of the following examples, identify the words and phrases that are examples of
emotionally charged language.

1. The idiots we elected four long years ago should be kicked out of office.
2. The real estate agent who sold my house was really helpful, provided a lot of great ideas and
was very friendly too!
3. Our new formula will make your skin feel wonderful and it’s safe on the environment which
should make you feel good too!
4. The final test wasn't just challenging, it was a nightmare.
5. That children’s book is a disgusting, deviant book that should be banned from school libraries.
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F) Each of the following passages includes an example of vagueness, ambiguity, euphemism or

prejudicial and/or emotionally charged language. Identify which occurs in each passage. (choose one)
1. There were a lot of new things to consider after meeting with my life-coach.
a. vagueness
b. ambiguity
c. euphemism
d. prejudicial and/or emotionally charged language

2. Our boss postures about every little success that he has, and we are supposed to hang on every
word he delivers. It is like we are a starving child waiting for any scrap of food he might toss our way.
a. vagueness
b. ambiguity
c. euphemism
d. prejudicial and/or emotionally charged language

3. The government received a degree of input from interested individuals.

a. vagueness
b. ambiguity
c. euphemism
d. prejudicial and/or emotionally charged language

4. Our shampoos are made with all natural ingredients. Chemicals are found in the world so they
can't be anything but natural.
a. vagueness
b. ambiguity
c. euphemism
d. prejudicial and/or emotionally charged language

5. I’m a good person! I’ve never been caught doing anything illegal!
a. vagueness
b. ambiguity
c. euphemism
d. prejudicial and/or emotionally charged language

6. Lucas bought his daughter a birthday present, and surprisingly so did Ian!
a. vagueness
b. ambiguity
c. euphemism
d. prejudicial and/or emotionally charged language
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7. “How a human being could have attempted such a book as the present without committing
suicide before he had finished a dozen chapters, is a mystery. It is a compound of vulgar depravity and
unnatural horrors." – Early review of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights from Graham's Lady Magazine: "
a. vagueness
b. ambiguity
c. euphemism
d. prejudicial and/or emotionally charged language

8. There was a police incident in my neighborhood last night. They aren’t saying much more than
that.
a. vagueness
b. ambiguity
c. euphemism
d. prejudicial and/or emotionally charged language

G) For each of the following statements, determine if the statement is qualified or unqualified.
(choose one)
1. Los Angeles will suffer an earthquake sometime this century.
a. qualified
b. unqualified

2. The world is flat. Anything else is a hoax.

a. qualified
b. unqualified

3. I think I got the first two sections of the exam right.

a. qualified
b. unqualified

4. Does this new shirt look good on me? It might be the wrong color for me.
a. qualified
b. unqualified

5. I definitely think that the shirt looks great on you!

a. qualified
b. unqualified

6. Coffee should never be ruined by people adding flavors like hazelnut to it.
a. qualified
b. unqualified
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7. Of course I love you. I love you almost as much as my dog!

a. qualified
b. unqualified

8. Do you remember where we parked the car? I was pretty sure it was on the second level, but
maybe it’s the third?
a. qualified
b. unqualified

9. Don't give me that look; I know exactly what you are thinking and you are wrong!
a. qualified
b. unqualified

10. Dogs dream just like humans do.

a. qualified
b. unqualified

H) How would you characterize the scope of the following expressions that you might find in a
proposition? (e.g., broad, narrow)

1. 100%
2. Three quarters
3. Some
4. A handful
5. An exception to the rule
6. Almost everyone
7. Most of my close friends
8. 50/50
9. A bunch
10. 3 out of 5

I) How would you characterize the following qualifiers? (e.g., strong, weak etc.)

1. We know
2. I know
3. I think that
4. I heard
5. An expert said
6. Probably
7. Possibly
8. Potentially
9. Could be
10. There’s a really good chance that
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J) True or False Questions

1. The statement "By ‘Tall’ , I mean someone who is 2 meters or more in height.” is an example of
a stipulative definition. True or False?

2. "My car is red and is two years old. I got it from a neighbor who was selling it." The above
statements contain at least one example of emotionally charged language. True or False?

3. If we defined "apple" as "A firm fruit grown on trees in the Northwest," this definition would be
too broad and too narrow. True or False?

4. "Sometimes, doing art is difficult." The above statement contains both a vague term and an
ambiguous term. True or False?

5. If we defined "curling" as "A sport many Canadians play in the winter," this would be too broad.
True or False?

6. If we defined "cell phone" as "A mobile phone device," this would be circular. True or False?

7. Reportive definitions are best suited for defining theoretical concepts. True or False?

8. Emotionally charged language should always be avoided in conversation. True or False?

9. Ostensive definitions are often used when a person is trying to confuse you about the true
meaning of a word by using technical or uncommon terminology. True or False?

10. Euphemisms can make dramatic events appear less noteworthy than they really are. True or
False?