Which statement is true about language development in children?

• A. All normal children develop language at exactly the same rate
• B. Receptive language ability develops more quickly than expressive language ability
• C. Normal children begin to understand simple instructions and utter basic words at about 2 years old
• D. Children do not normally develop a grasp of basic pragmatic until 7 to 8 years of age

Answer: (B)

Receptive language develops more quickly than expressive language. Children typically understand more words and follow more complex instructions than they can reliably say themselves, especially in the early years. This means a toddler may understand a request like “put the cup on the table” or know many words, yet still be limited in the number and complexity of words they can express. Over time, expressive skills catch up as children expand their vocabulary and sentence structure, but the initial gap between what they understand and what they can say is a normal pattern.

That’s why this option is the best: it accurately reflects the common sequence where understanding language outpaces speaking. The other statements don’t fit normal development as neatly: language rate varies among children, so exact uniform timing isn’t typical; understanding simple instructions around age 2 is common, but language comprehension develops earlier than expressive use; and basic pragmatic skills (how to use language in social contexts) begin well before 7–8 years old, often developing during the preschool years.