Which term describes the global patterns of knowledge that guide comprehension in communication, often linked to context and culture?

• A. Textual analysis
• B. Frame
• C. Repertoire
• D. Cohesion

Answer: (B)

Frames are the mental structures that organize our knowledge, expectations, and cultural norms when we interpret communication. They act like lenses, shaping what we pay attention to, what counts as relevant information, and what we assume will happen next in a conversation. Because frames come from context and culture, they explain why the same message can be understood in different ways in different situations or by people from different backgrounds. This is why the term that best fits global patterns of knowledge guiding comprehension is frame.

Textual analysis focuses on the text itself—its features and structure. Cohesion deals with how sentences and ideas are linked within a text. Repertoire refers to the range of language varieties a person can draw on. None of these capture the overarching knowledge and expectations that guide understanding across contexts the way a frame does.