Which term refers to a conversational pattern where the dialogue alternates as A-B-A-B?

• A. Linear
• B. Repairs
• C. Tag Question
• D. Prosodic Features

Answer: (A)

The pattern A-B-A-B reflects a simple, linear turn-taking flow in which two speakers alternate in a straightforward sequence. Each contribution follows the previous one in a clear, orderly chain, with no overlaps or additional conversational functions like corrections or appended question tags. That straightforward sequence is exactly what linear describes in conversation analysis.

Repairs involve fixing something that was said, a tag question adds a short interrogative/tag to a statement, and prosodic features concern how something is spoken (intonation, rhythm, etc.), not the order of who talks when. So the best fit for this alternating pattern is linear.