EAP Reading Skills 4

Question 1

A research article states its findings 'suggest' rather than 'prove' a relationship. Why is this word choice significant?

Accepted Answer

The author is using hedging language to express appropriate academic caution

Answer

Using 'suggest' is a form of hedging that acknowledges limitations and avoids overstating conclusions.

Question 2

Which question is MOST useful for critically evaluating the credibility of an academic source?

Accepted Answer

Was it published in a peer-reviewed journal by an identified author with relevant credentials?

Answer

Peer review, identified authorship, and relevant credentials are key indicators of academic credibility.

Question 3

What does 'reading between the lines' mean in academic contexts?

Accepted Answer

Inferring meaning that is implied but not explicitly stated

Answer

Reading between the lines refers to making inferences about unstated assumptions or implied meanings in a text.

Question 4

A paragraph begins with: 'Urban air pollution has increased dramatically over the past decade.' This sentence is MOST likely functioning as a:

Accepted Answer

Topic sentence

Answer

A topic sentence introduces the main idea of a paragraph, as this sentence does for a paragraph about urban air pollution.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of primary source material?

Accepted Answer

A journal article reporting original experimental data

Answer

A primary source presents original research or data directly, rather than summarizing or interpreting others' work.

EAP - English For Academic Purposes Practice Test