Exercise 1

Edward calls Jean's song a lullaby. Which of the following is the best definition of a lullaby?

A calming song to encourage children to sleep.

A traditional song passed down from parents to their children.

A song about the culture or traditions of a specific place.

An educational song or fable meant to teach children values.

I don't know

Edward calls Jean's song a lullaby. Which of the following is the best definition of a lullaby?

A calming song to encourage children to sleep.

This is the correct definition of the term "lullaby". "Lullabies" are traditionally sung by adults to children at bedtime. A "lullaby" is usually a soothing or calming song which makes children go to sleep.

A traditional song passed down from parents to their children.

This is incorrect. Although the childhood experience of a "lullaby" may be remembered by adults (who in turn sing the same song to their own children), this is not the definition of what a "lullaby" is.

A song about the culture or traditions of a specific place.

This is incorrect. Although the content of a "lullaby" may be related to the culture or traditions of a specific place, this is not the definition of what a "lullaby" is. Note that Jean defines his song as "a traditional French song", but the specific term for a soothing song sung to children is a "lullaby".

An educational song or fable meant to teach children values.

This is incorrect. Although a "lullaby" may contain a moral or educational message in the song, this is not the definition of what a "lullaby" is.

Exercise 2

This broadcast is full of "wordplay", or games using language.

What is the term to describe this type of "play on words"?

A pun

A "pun" describes a play on words, a linguistic trick which usually depends on the double meaning of a word or phrase. For example: Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says "I've lost my electron." The other says "Are you sure?" The first replies "Yes, I'm positive." Although Brent is not making this type of joke, he is playing with the syllables of words in order to suggest different meanings.

A tongue twister

A "tongue twister" is a playful phrase or sentence which is difficult to pronounce or repeat, such as: "Unique New York", "Red leather, yellow leather" "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers"!

A riddle

A "riddle" describes a sort of quiz, enigma or word puzzle. It isn't the same thing as a pun! An example of a riddle: Q. I arrive once in every second, once in every minute and once in every year. What am I? A. The letter "e". Or, Q. If you have me, you want to share me. If you share me, you haven't got me. What am I? A. A secret.

A lullaby

A "lullaby" is generally a song sung to babies and small children to make them sleep.

Lullaby meaning in English

Definition

Examples

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