EAP Critical Reading Strategies 2

Question 1

When an author uses a rhetorical question in an academic text, the primary purpose is usually to:

Accepted Answer

Introduce a point the author will then address

Answer

Rhetorical questions in academic writing signal a claim or argument the author is about to develop, not genuine requests for answers.

Question 2

Which reading approach is most effective when previewing an unfamiliar academic article for the first time?

Accepted Answer

Scanning headings, abstract, topic sentences, and conclusion first

Answer

Previewing structural elements gives a conceptual map that improves comprehension during full reading.

Question 3

A passage states: 'While some researchers argue X, the preponderance of evidence suggests Y.' The author's stance is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Fully endorsing Y

Answer

'Preponderance of evidence suggests Y' signals that the author favors Y despite acknowledging the minority view X.

Question 4

An author cites a study from 1978 to support a claim about current digital communication. A critical reader should question this evidence because:

Accepted Answer

The field may have changed significantly, making the study outdated

Answer

Evidence should be evaluated for currency; a study predating modern digital communication may not apply to current contexts.

Question 5

In critical reading, 'reading between the lines' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Identifying implied meanings not stated explicitly

Answer

Critical readers identify unstated assumptions, implied arguments, and subtext that the author conveys indirectly.

EAP - English For Academic Purposes Practice Test