In the functional-notional approach, which category would include expressing creative thoughts or ideas?

The category that includes expressing creative thoughts or ideas is imaginative. The functional-notional approach to language emphasizes the functions of language and the notions it conveys. In this context, imaginative language is used to express creativity, such as storytelling, poetry, and other artistic forms of communication. This category allows individuals to convey their thoughts and feelings in innovative ways, enabling the use of language for artistic expression and imagination.

Referential language primarily serves to convey information and describe things directly, which does not primarily focus on creativity. Interpersonal language focuses on social interaction, relationships, and communication between people, while directive language is meant to instruct or guide someone to do something. None of these alternatives emphasize the creative aspect of language in the same way imaginative language does. Hence, imaginative is the most fitting choice for expressing creative thoughts or ideas.