Which term refers to the one-word utterance that conveys a full sentence?

• A. Holophrase
• B. Telegraphic speech
• C. Syncretic speech
• D. Child directed speech

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is how early words can carry full meaning. A holophrase is a single word that expresses a complete sentence or thought. When a toddler says “Mama” or “Milk,” the speaker and situation supply the rest of the meaning—like “I want Mama” or “Give me milk.” This single word stands in for a longer message and typically emerges around the first year to 18 months, bridging the gap from babbling to more complex speech.

Telegraphic speech is the next stage, where two-word combinations like “want milk” or “go outside” express more complete ideas while still omitting small function words. Syncretic speech isn’t a standard term for this early language pattern, and child-directed speech refers to how adults talk to children (higher pitch, slower tempo, exaggerated intonation), not the child’s one-word utterance.