Academic Text Characteristics

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Questions and Answers

Which characteristic is LEAST likely to be found in an academic text?

Use of informal and conversational language. (correct)

Information from credible sources that are properly cited.

A clearly structured introduction, body, and conclusion.

Concepts and theories related to a specific discipline.

Which of the following statements best describes the primary difference between academic and non-academic texts?

Academic texts aim to advance understanding in a field, while non-academic texts often provide simple information. (correct)

Non-academic texts always include a list of sources and references, unlike academic texts.

Academic texts are typically shorter and less detailed than non-academic texts.

Non-academic texts are always written by professionals, while academic texts can be written by anyone.

Which of the following is NOT typically considered a key feature of academic language?

Objectivity

Ambiguity (correct)

Explicitness

Formality

Which characteristic most distinguishes an effective thesis statement from a simple statement of fact?

It presents a debatable claim or argument. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is writing a paper analyzing the different interpretations of a historical event. Which type of academic text is the researcher most likely producing?

Critical (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor most influences the organization of an academic text?

The target audience and the purpose of the text. (A) Signup and view all the answers

When analyzing the statement: 'The Civil War, which took place between 1861-1865, was the most devastating war in United States history' versus 'The Civil War was the most devastating war in United States history because it fundamentally altered the nation's social and political landscape,' what makes the second a stronger thesis?

It offers a rationale for the claim made. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In academic writing, what does 'explicitness' primarily ensure?

That ideas and arguments are clearly stated and directly related to the topic. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which text structure is most suitable for presenting the different viewpoints regarding a controversial topic?

Compare and Contrast (C) Signup and view all the answers

A passage details the step-by-step process of assembling a complex piece of machinery, from unpacking the components to calibrating the final settings. Which text structure is predominantly used in this passage?

Sequence / Order of Importance (C) Signup and view all the answers

Imagine that an academic publishes a paper arguing for a novel treatment of a well-known disease, but the research is funded by a pharmaceutical company that would directly profit from its adoption. To maintain objectivity, what should the author do?

Clearly disclose the funding source and any potential conflicts of interest. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A student is tasked with writing a persuasive essay arguing for a specific policy change. The professor emphasizes the need for 'caution' in their writing. Considering the academic context, what does 'caution' primarily entail?

Qualifying claims with appropriate hedges and acknowledging limitations in the evidence. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Imagine you want to explain rising sea levels. Which organizational structure would you choose?

Cause and Effect (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following text structures is primarily used in fiction?

Chronological order (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the text structures is primarily used to describe events that lead to specific outcomes?

Cause and Effect (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of academic and professional language concerning formality?

Adherence to accepted rules and conventions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'complexity' in academic writing?

Using more lexical words than grammatical words. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'objectivity' in academic and professional language primarily emphasize?

Third-person perspective and factual information. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best reflects the role of 'explicitness' in academic writing?

Clearly showing the relationship and connection of ideas within the text. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of 'hedging' in academic writing?

To express tentativeness and possibility in communication. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following transitional devices is MOST appropriate for indicating contrast?

Although (D) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is presenting preliminary findings on a new treatment but recognizes limitations in the sample size. Which approach best demonstrates hedging?

"The treatment appears to show promise in alleviating symptoms." (C) Signup and view all the answers

In very formal academic writing, which of the following statements is MOST appropriate when referring to prior research?

"Jones (2020) suggests a related conclusion." (C) Signup and view all the answers

In academic writing, what is the primary purpose of using precise language?

To ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of hedging language used to express uncertainty?

It might be suggested that... (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following words or phrases indicates a cause-and-effect relationship?

Therefore (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of reading is characterized by reading for enjoyment and entertainment?

Pleasure Reading (D) Signup and view all the answers

A student is working with a speech therapist to correct mispronunciations. What kind of reading activity would this be considered?

Remedial Reading (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT typically a stage in the reading process?

Meta-Reading (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of extensive reading?

To build reading speed and fluency through enjoyable reading. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which connective would be MOST appropriate to signal an idea that opposes the previous one?

In fact (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which reading skill involves evaluating the relevance, validity, and logic of claims presented in a text?

Critical Reading (B) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is carefully examining a historical document, paying close attention to syntax, word choice, and potential biases embedded within the text. Further, they cross-reference the document's claims with other period sources to assess its reliability and contextual accuracy. Which reading type BEST describes their activity?

Critical Reading (A) Signup and view all the answers

Imagine a study examines the reading habits of bilingual children. Group A receives explicit instruction in phonics and grammar, while Group B is immersed in a library of age-appropriate books and encouraged to read independently with minimal intervention. After one year, Group B demonstrates significantly greater gains in reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition. Which reading approach aligns with Group B's experience, and what unforeseen challenge might arise from this method?

Extensive Reading; potential for gaps in explicit knowledge of grammatical rules and nuanced literary analysis. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes intensive reading?

Reading in detail with specific learning aims and tasks. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of inference requires the reader to deduce the overall moral or lesson from a text?

Global Inferences (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of previewing as a reading skill?

To get a general overview and connect the text to prior knowledge. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which reading skill is most closely associated with note-taking, paraphrasing, and summarizing?

Literal Reading (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a thesis statement in a written work?

To present the controlling idea that the writer will attempt to prove. (C) Signup and view all the answers

A student is tasked with finding out how many times the word 'photosynthesis' is mentioned in a 50-page document. Which basic reading skill would be MOST efficient for this task?

Scanning (D) Signup and view all the answers

A literary critic argues that a novel's symbolism is not just decorative but essential to understanding the author's critique of societal norms. Which type of reading is the critic employing?

Critical Reading (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the scenarios below exemplifies 'elaborative inference' during reading?

Predicting a character's future actions based on their established personality traits and motivations. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A historian is researching the causes of World War I. After reading several primary and secondary sources, she identifies a pattern where economic competition consistently led to increased military spending and diplomatic tensions among European powers. She then formulates the thesis: 'The escalating economic rivalry between European nations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was the PRIMARY catalyst for the outbreak of World War I, as it fueled a dangerous cycle of militarization and geopolitical instability.' What is the MOST significant strength of this thesis statement?

It presents a specific, arguable claim that can be supported or refuted with evidence. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Academic Texts

Texts with structured introduction, body, and conclusion, using credible sources.

Non-Academic Texts

Texts written for the mass public, informal, and less researched.