Which category is exemplified by adjectives such as 'Irish' or 'Californian'?

Which category is exemplified by adjectives such as 'Irish' or 'Californian'?

• A. Adjectives based on place names
• B. Nationalities and languages
• C. Demonyms
• D. Ethnic groups

Answer: (A)

Adjectives formed from place names. Irish and Californian are built from the names of places—Ireland and California—to describe origin. They show where something or someone comes from, using a form that directly derives from a place name. While they can also function as demonyms or refer to nationality, the key idea the item is testing is how these adjectives are created from toponyms, not just what they denote.

Adjectives formed from place names. Irish and Californian are built from the names of places—Ireland and California—to describe origin. They show where something or someone comes from, using a form that directly derives from a place name. While they can also function as demonyms or refer to nationality, the key idea the item is testing is how these adjectives are created from toponyms, not just what they denote.