AWA Clarity and Precise Language 4 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of 'begging the question' that also reflects imprecise argumentation?
- Free speech is valuable because open expression benefits society.
- This policy is bad because bad policies harm people. (Correct answer)
- Evidence from multiple studies supports this conclusion.
- The data suggests a moderate correlation between the variables.
Correct answer: This policy is bad because bad policies harm people.
The sentence restates the claim ('bad policy') as its own justification, offering no real analytical content.
Question 2: What is the clearest way to express contrast between two ideas in a single sentence?
- Idea A is true; idea B is also true, but differently.
- While A increases efficiency, B reduces costsāmaking the two approaches complementary. (Correct answer)
- A and B are different in terms of what they do and how they work.
- A has one set of qualities and B has another set of qualities entirely.
Correct answer: While A increases efficiency, B reduces costsāmaking the two approaches complementary.
Naming the specific attributes being contrasted ('efficiency' vs. 'costs') and their relationship gives the contrast precise meaning.
Question 3: When is it appropriate to use the passive voice in AWA writing?
- When the actor is unknown, irrelevant, or when you want to emphasize the action's recipient (Correct answer)
- Whenever you want to sound more formal or academic
- Only in the conclusion paragraph
- Neverāactive voice is always preferred in analytical writing
Correct answer: When the actor is unknown, irrelevant, or when you want to emphasize the action's recipient
Passive voice is appropriate when the agent performing the action is unknown or less important than the action itself.
Question 4: Which sentence uses the most precise language when comparing two positions?
- Both sides have good points, but one is better than the other overall.
- Side A's proposal reduces administrative costs by 15%, whereas Side B's increases costs by 8%. (Correct answer)
- There are pros and cons to each position that must be carefully weighed.
- The first approach is stronger in some ways, while the second is stronger in other ways.
Correct answer: Side A's proposal reduces administrative costs by 15%, whereas Side B's increases costs by 8%.
Specific percentage figures make the comparison measurable and verifiable rather than subjective.
Question 5: What does 'syntactic ambiguity' mean in the context of analytical writing?
- Using words with multiple dictionary meanings
- A sentence structure that allows two or more different grammatical interpretations (Correct answer)
- Misspelling technical vocabulary
- Using too many subordinate clauses in one sentence
Correct answer: A sentence structure that allows two or more different grammatical interpretations
Syntactic ambiguity arises when sentence structureānot just word choiceāpermits multiple readings, confusing the reader.
Question 6: Which revision corrects the ambiguity in: 'The manager told the analyst she needed to revise the report'?
- The manager told the analyst that the report needed revising.
- The manager said the analyst needed to revise the report herself. (Correct answer)
- The manager, speaking to the analyst, indicated that revisions were needed.
- She told her that revisions to the report were necessary.
Correct answer: The manager said the analyst needed to revise the report herself.
Adding 'herself' clarifies that it is the analyst, not the manager, who must do the revising.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'signposting' in analytical writing?
- Using bold or italicized text to highlight key terms
- Explicitly telling the reader what the essay has argued and will argue next (Correct answer)
- Listing sources at the end of an essay
- Repeating the thesis statement in every paragraph
Correct answer: Explicitly telling the reader what the essay has argued and will argue next
Signposting uses phrases like 'as argued above' or 'the next section will demonstrate' to orient the reader within the essay's structure.
AWA Clarity and Precise Language 4
Which of the following is an example of 'begging the question' that also reflects imprecise argumentation?