NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

What does the Poverty of Stimulus idea imply?

1. Children are not exposed to adequate language for acquisition

2. Children learn languages at an equal pace

3. Children respond better to simple language

4. Children require constant feedback to learn

The correct answer is: Children are not exposed to adequate language for acquisition

The Poverty of Stimulus idea suggests that children are not exposed to enough linguistic input or adequate language data to fully explain their ability to acquire complex language systems. This concept arises from the observation that children often develop an understanding of intricate grammatical structures and linguistic rules despite the limited and less-than-perfect language examples available to them in their environment. Essentially, children can form rules about language that they have not explicitly heard, indicating that their linguistic capabilities go beyond the input they receive. This notion supports the argument that humans have an innate capacity for language learning, which cannot be solely attributed to the amount of language exposure. The other options do not directly relate to the core concept of Poverty of Stimulus. Learning at an equal pace, responding better to simple language, or requiring constant feedback do not address the limitation of linguistic input or account for the sophisticated language acquisition seen in children despite insufficient stimuli.