Final answer:
The statement is false; research indicates that women's speech patterns, including the use of tag questions, tend to diverge from men's, often being more uncertain and seeking affirmation. The linguistic characterizations discussed mainly arise from gender socialization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that tag questions are more often used by men than women is false. In the study of language and gender, it has been noted that different patterns of speech are shaped by gender. Robin Lakoff's influential book, Language and Woman's Place (1975), describes characteristics of women's speech such as being uncertain, overly polite, and using features like hedges, emotional language, euphemisms, and tag questions ("Don't you think?"). These linguistic features often suggest a seeking of affirmation or confirmation, contrasting with the more assertive speech patterns attributed to men.
Regarding Exercise 8.3.2, the statement that many women found themselves incapable of handling the burdens of war when their husbands and fathers went off to fight is subjective and broad. Historical accounts and research show that many women assumed new roles and responsibilities during wars, handling various burdens effectively.