New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What is a characteristic of the telegraphic stage of first language acquisition?

1. Complex sentences are used

2. Only single words are used

3. Words strung together convey meaning without complete grammar

4. Vowel sounds are primarily produced

The correct answer is: Words strung together convey meaning without complete grammar

The telegraphic stage of first language acquisition is characterized by the use of words strung together that convey meaning, albeit without complete grammatical structure. During this stage, which typically occurs between the ages of 18 months to 2.5 years, children begin to combine two or more words to express their intentions, needs, or observations. These combinations often consist of essential content words, such as nouns and verbs, while omitting less critical grammatical elements such as articles, prepositions, and conjunctions. For example, a child might say "want cookie" to express their desire for a cookie, illustrating how they can communicate effectively with a limited number of words. This ability to convey meaning through simplified phrases indicates that children at this stage are starting to recognize the relationship between words and their meanings, even if their syntax isn't fully developed. In contrast, complex sentences are generally not part of this stage since the focus is on simple combinations. The use of single words represents an earlier stage before the telegraphic stage, and vowel sounds primarily pertain to phonological development rather than the structural aspects of language acquisition.