Which statement about the Wug test approach is correct?

Which statement about the Wug test approach is correct?

• A. It relies on real words to measure mental grammar.
• B. It uses invented words to isolate productive morphology and rules.
• C. It primarily assesses semantic memory.
• D. It evaluates pragmatic use of language.

Answer: (B)

The Wug test shows how people apply grammatical rules to new forms by using invented words. By presenting an unfamiliar creature and asking for its plural or other inflected form, it taps into productive morphology — the ability to generate correct word forms from rule knowledge even when the word hasn’t been heard before. This focuses on mental grammar, the abstract rules we use to manipulate language, rather than on specific vocabulary stored in memory. If real words were used, you’d be mixing rule knowledge with memorized forms, making it hard to see pure rule application. Semantic memory is about meaning and factual knowledge, not about how we conjugate or pluralize; pragmatic use concerns language in social contexts, not grammatical rule production. So using invented words to isolate how rules are applied is precisely what the Wug test demonstrates.

The Wug test shows how people apply grammatical rules to new forms by using invented words. By presenting an unfamiliar creature and asking for its plural or other inflected form, it taps into productive morphology — the ability to generate correct word forms from rule knowledge even when the word hasn’t been heard before. This focuses on mental grammar, the abstract rules we use to manipulate language, rather than on specific vocabulary stored in memory. If real words were used, you’d be mixing rule knowledge with memorized forms, making it hard to see pure rule application. Semantic memory is about meaning and factual knowledge, not about how we conjugate or pluralize; pragmatic use concerns language in social contexts, not grammatical rule production. So using invented words to isolate how rules are applied is precisely what the Wug test demonstrates.