Question

Which of the following does not affect a speaker's competence?

• A. Rules of syntax
• B. Vocabulary knowledge
• C. Lapses of attention
• D. Ability to form grammatical sentences

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Lapses of attention

Lapses of attention affect performance, not competence. Competence remains stable and unaffected by distractions, memory span, or momentary errors — it's about the speaker’s ideal knowledge of language.