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English

Social dynamics: In social interactions, presuppositions crucially signal shared
knowledge, beliefs, and expectations between speakers and listeners. The listener
or hearer should be aware of presuppositions for effective communication and
rapport building.
Avoiding misunderstandings: Failure to recognise presuppositions can lead to
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misunderstandings or misinterpretations in communication. By being aware of
presuppositions, speakers can ensure clarity and avoid or prevent confusion or
offence.
Critical Thinking: Analysing presuppositions encourages critical thinking skills
by prompting individuals to question underlying assumptions and beliefs. This
fosters deeper understanding and promotes clearer communication by uncovering
hidden meanings and implications.

(b) Identify the presupposition(s) in each of the following sentences.
1. ‘I am sorry I cannot find your book right now.’
The utterance presupposes that _________________________
2. ‘On the occasion of my friend’s birthday, I intend to buy her a new
smartphone.’
The utterance presupposes that _________________________
3. The exam is not so difficult.
The utterance presupposes that _________________________
4. ‘She is not happy about the language course she’s taking.’
The utterance presupposes that _________________________
5. ‘We haven’t heard anything from Subira.’
The utterance presupposes that _________________________
6. ‘They were rich.’
The utterance presupposes that _________________________
7. ‘Can you stop playing with your dog?’
The utterance presupposes that _________________________
8. ‘She was not aware that her son has had an accident.’
The utterance presupposes that _________________________
9. ‘I wish I had not booked the tickets.’
The utterance presupposes that _________________________
10. ‘You will be amazed when you see the view.’
The utterance presupposes that _________________________

(c) Choose any scenario such as a job interview, a conversation between two friends,
or a conversation between an employee and his or her employer. Then do the
following:
1. Write a dialogue using appropriate language and level of formality of the
chosen scenario.

Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) 11 Form Five

24/06/2024 22:26
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