FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

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What does semantics study?

A the sounds of language
B the structure of sentences
C the meaning of words
D the social context of language use

The correct answer is: C the meaning of words

Semantics is a branch of linguistics that specifically focuses on the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences in language. It examines how meaning is constructed, interpreted, and understood within different contexts. This field investigates various aspects of meaning, including word meaning (lexical semantics) and sentence meaning (compositional semantics). By understanding semantics, one gains insight into how language conveys meaning, which is fundamental for effective communication and comprehension. The other options pertain to different aspects of linguistics: the sounds of language relate to phonetics and phonology, the structure of sentences involves syntax, and the social context of language use is studied under pragmatics. Each of these fields is distinct and has its own focus, which highlights the importance of semantics as a unique area dedicated to the exploration of meaning.