EAP Hedging Language in Academic Writing 2

Question 1

Which frequency adverb functions as a hedging device in academic writing?

Accepted Answer

generally

Answer

'Generally' hedges a claim by acknowledging exceptions, unlike 'always' and 'never,' which make absolute statements.

Question 2

How do reporting verbs contribute to hedging in academic writing?

Accepted Answer

They indicate the writer's level of commitment to a cited claim

Answer

Reporting verbs like 'suggests,' 'argues,' and 'proposes' convey how strongly the citing writer endorses the source's claim.

Question 3

Which sentence uses the passive voice primarily as a hedging strategy?

Accepted Answer

It has been observed that stress levels increase during exam periods.

Answer

The agentless passive 'it has been observed' hedges by distancing the claim from any single observer and implying broader, impersonal evidence.

Question 4

What does the term 'epistemic modality' refer to in the context of academic hedging?

Accepted Answer

The grammatical expression of a speaker's degree of certainty or knowledge about a proposition

Answer

Epistemic modality involves linguistic markers (modal verbs, adverbs, phrases) that encode the writer's assessment of the likelihood or certainty of a claim.

Question 5

In which section of an academic paper is hedging MOST critical, and why?

Accepted Answer

The discussion and conclusion, because claims about implications extend beyond the direct data

Answer

Discussions and conclusions interpret findings and extrapolate implications, making hedging essential to distinguish evidence-based results from reasoned speculation.

EAP - English For Academic Purposes Practice Test

EAP - English For Academic Purposes Practice Test

EAP Hedging Language in Academic Writing 2