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

Which of the following is a characteristic of the early multiword stage of language acquisition?

1. Children speak in single words only

2. Children create their own original sentences

3. Children repeat longer sentences without full grammatical control

4. Children only use words in isolation

The correct answer is: Children repeat longer sentences without full grammatical control

In the early multiword stage of language acquisition, children typically begin to experiment with longer sentences and phrases, indicating an exploration of syntax and grammar. This stage is characterized by the use of word combinations that may not be fully grammatically correct but show an understanding of how words can work together in phrases. Option C is correct because it highlights that children at this developmental stage often repeat longer sentences they've heard without necessarily mastering all grammatical rules. This repetition reflects their growing language exposure and the beginnings of syntactic understanding, even if their output lacks full grammatical control. In contrast, the other options focus on more limited language use. Speaking in single words and only using words in isolation indicates a prior developmental stage, while the ability to create original sentences suggests a more advanced level of language proficiency that typically emerges after the early multiword stage.