Solved BPSC Lecturer Past paper of Linguistic of 2019 & 2024
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| Part one |
Solved Question paper of Linguistic of BPSC -17
Q-1 (a) Select the correct answer
i. Who introduced the concepts of Competence and Performance?
a) Noam Chomsky
ii. Language originated as a result of involuntary exclamations of pain, surprise, pleasure or wonder:
c) The Pooh-pooh theory
iii. Ability to talk about present, past and future:
c) Displacement
iv. The study of rules of language covers:
a) Grammar
v. Sounds articulated by the tip/blade of the tongue against the teeth ridge with raising of the front of the tongue towards the palate:
c) Palato-alveolar
vi. Word formation by subtracting a root through deleting the final syllable which is misunderstood as a suffix:
d) Back-formation
vii. Morphemes having more than one meaning and understood in more than one way:
d) Homonyms
viii. Final /l/ in bottle, cattle, little are examples of:
a) Syllabic consonants
ix. Which is not a characteristic feature of language?
d) Language is instinctive
x. A ______ morpheme can change the grammatical category of a word:
b) Derivational
Q-1 (b) Fill in the blanks
i. The study of the way sequences of words are ordered into phrases, clauses and sentences is called
Syntax
ii. The study of relationships between two or more languages and whether they have a common ancestor is called
Comparative linguistics
iii. ______ are articulated by raising the back of the tongue towards the soft palate.
Velar sounds
iv. ______ patterns of intonation are used in declarative sentences uttered as questions.
Rise-fall
v. ______ is the discipline where the methodological perspectives of linguistics and sociology converge.
Sociolinguistics
Q-1 (c) Mark True / False
i. Parole and performance imply the actual meaningful utterance of an individual.
True
ii. The fall-rise pattern of intonation is used in WH-questions.
False
iii. Using a finite set of rules, a speaker can produce innumerable grammatical utterances; this property is called Transference.
False
(correct term: Productivity / Creativity)
iv. Classification of vowels into close and open vowels is based on the position to which the tongue is raised.
True
v. Words like buzz, hiss, thud represent the sounds of their referents.
True
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| Part Two |
Solved paper of Linguistic BPSC-17
SECTION – A
(Attempt any two, but I’m solving all for your preparation)
Q2. Roles of words in sentence (with examples)
Instead of viewing words as containers of meaning, modern linguistics sees words as performing roles or functions in a situation.
Roles of words in a sentence:
- Agent – performer of action
Ali broke the glass. - Action / Process – what happens
Ali broke the glass. - Patient / Object – receiver of action
Ali broke the glass. - Instrument – tool used
Ali broke the glass with a stick. - Location – place of action
He lives in Quetta. - Time – when action happens
She arrived yesterday.
👉 Meaning depends on context and role, not words alone.
Q3. Language Acquisition Device (LAD)
The Language Acquisition Device (LAD) is a theory proposed by Noam Chomsky.
Main points:
- Humans are biologically programmed to learn language.
- Children acquire language without formal instruction.
- LAD contains Universal Grammar, common to all languages.
- It helps children:
- Form correct sentences
- Understand grammatical rules
- Create new sentences never heard before
Conclusion:
Language learning is innate, not just imitation.
Q4. Language Relativity (Sapir–Whorf Hypothesis)
Language influences how people think, perceive, and understand reality.
Key ideas:
- Language shapes thought
- Different languages reflect different worldviews
Examples:
- Eskimos have many words for snow → sharper perception
- Some languages lack tense → time viewed differently
- Gendered nouns influence perception of objects
Conclusion:
Language affects thinking but does not completely control it.
Q5. Variation in language according to social status
Language varies due to class, education, profession, and region.
Types of variation:
- Social dialects – upper vs lower class speech
- Register – formal vs informal language
- Accent – pronunciation differences
- Vocabulary choice – technical vs common words
Example:
A professor speaks differently in class than at home.
SECTION – B
Q6. Write an essay on any ONE
(i) Optimism
Optimism is a positive attitude toward life. An optimist believes that difficulties are temporary and success is possible. Optimism improves mental health, increases motivation, and helps individuals cope with stress. In professional life, optimistic people perform better because they focus on solutions rather than problems. However, optimism must be realistic to be effective.
(ii) Gender Discrimination
Gender discrimination refers to unequal treatment based on gender. Women often face limited opportunities in education, employment, and decision-making. This discrimination weakens society by wasting talent. Equal rights, education, and awareness are necessary to eliminate gender bias and ensure social progress.
(iii) Significance of Leadership Skills in Job Life
Leadership skills are essential for success in job life. A good leader motivates employees, solves problems, and makes effective decisions. Leadership promotes teamwork, discipline, and productivity. In modern organizations, leadership skills are valued more than technical skills alone.
Q7. Precis (Summary)
Title: Fear of the Unknown
Fear of the unknown is a natural human response caused by lack of information and control. This fear leads to anxiety, phobias, and stress. People fear uncertainty because it limits predictability. Gaining information, planning, and accepting uncertainty help reduce anxiety. Developing control over decisions increases confidence and reduces fear.
Q8. Correct the sentences
i. Ali doesn’t look well today, does he?
ii. Our company is going to launch a three-crore project within the next few months.
iii. My elder brother is six feet tall.
iv. I don’t think I can cope with the problem.
v. Won’t you please come to help me with these heavy boxes?
Q9. Fill in the blanks (Prepositions)
i. He was taken by surprise when he saw Taj Mahal.
ii. A preface to a book introduces the book.
iii. I met with an accident.
iv. They have set out on a journey to hill station.
v. He died of cancer.
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