In the four language systems, which term covers language use beyond single sentences, focusing on how discourse is connected?

• A. Discourse
• B. Phonology
• C. Grammar
• D. Vocabulary

Answer: (A)

Language use across multiple sentences and how ideas flow from one sentence to the next is all about discourse. Discourse looks at coherence and cohesion in longer stretches like conversations, paragraphs, or narratives. It concerns how topics are introduced and carried forward, how pronouns and references link sentences, and how transitional words guide the listener or reader through the text. The other areas focus on smaller units: phonology studies sounds; grammar covers sentence structure; vocabulary is the collection of words. None of those by itself explains how sentences connect to form a larger, unified piece of language as discourse does.