Question

Which among the following is NOT a language skill?

• A. speaking
• B. hearing
• C. reading
• D. writing

Answer 1

Answer:

B. hearing

Understanding Language Skills

• Language skills are the abilities that allow individuals to communicate effectively through spoken and written words. These skills are crucial for comprehension, expression, and interaction.
• The four primary language skills, often referred to as the macro skills, are typically categorized as:
  • Listening: The ability to understand spoken language.
  • Speaking: The ability to produce spoken language.
  • Reading: The ability to understand written language.
  • Writing: The ability to produce written language.
• These skills are interconnected and often developed and assessed in combination. For instance, reading and listening are receptive skills (input), while speaking and writing are productive skills (output).

Why Hearing is Not a Language Skill

• Hearing is a physiological process of perceiving sound. It is the sensory input that enables listening.
• While hearing is a prerequisite for listening, it is not a skill in itself. A skill involves the application of knowledge and practice to perform a task effectively.
• Listening involves not just the physical act of hearing but also the cognitive processes of:
  • Interpreting sounds.
  • Understanding meaning.
  • Analyzing information.
  • Responding appropriately.
• Therefore, hearing is a component of the listening process but not the complete language skill. Without the cognitive processing involved in listening, mere hearing does not constitute effective communication.

Competitive Exam Insights

• Questions on language skills often test the understanding of the core components of language acquisition and use.
• Be sure to distinguish between physiological processes (like hearing or seeing) and cognitive or communicative skills (like listening, speaking, reading, writing).
• Many exams may present distractors that are related to the concept but are not the skill itself. Carefully analyze the definitions and scope of each option.