EAP Sentence Meaning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the sentence 'The researcher's findings, while preliminary, suggest a promising avenue for future investigation' primarily convey?
- The research is complete and conclusive.
- The findings are early-stage but potentially worth pursuing. (Correct answer)
- The researcher abandoned the study prematurely.
- Future investigation is unnecessary given the results.
Correct answer: The findings are early-stage but potentially worth pursuing.
The phrase 'while preliminary' signals the findings are not final, and 'promising avenue' indicates optimism about future research.
Question 2: Which interpretation best captures the meaning of: 'Access to higher education remains disproportionately skewed toward affluent demographics'?
- Wealthy students attend better universities by choice.
- Higher education enrollment is fairly distributed across income groups.
- Students from wealthier backgrounds have significantly greater access to higher education. (Correct answer)
- Affluent students are more academically qualified for university.
Correct answer: Students from wealthier backgrounds have significantly greater access to higher education.
'Disproportionately skewed toward' means the distribution is unequal and favors a particular group.
Question 3: The sentence 'Correlation does not imply causation' is most relevant when a researcher:
- Finds that two variables increase together and concludes one causes the other. (Correct answer)
- Conducts a controlled experiment with randomized groups.
- Uses regression analysis to predict future outcomes.
- Applies a meta-analysis to synthesize multiple studies.
Correct answer: Finds that two variables increase together and concludes one causes the other.
This principle warns against inferring a causal relationship merely because two variables are statistically related.
Question 4: What is the most accurate paraphrase of: 'The policy's efficacy is contingent upon consistent implementation'?
- The policy will work regardless of how it is applied.
- Whether the policy succeeds depends on how steadily it is carried out. (Correct answer)
- Consistent implementation is irrelevant to the policy's outcome.
- The policy requires frequent revision to remain effective.
Correct answer: Whether the policy succeeds depends on how steadily it is carried out.
'Contingent upon' means dependent on, so effectiveness depends on consistent application.
Question 5: In academic writing, 'The literature is replete with contradictory claims regarding X' most likely means:
- Scholars unanimously agree about X.
- There is very little published research about X.
- Published research on X presents many conflicting viewpoints. (Correct answer)
- The topic of X has been thoroughly resolved.
Correct answer: Published research on X presents many conflicting viewpoints.
'Replete with contradictory claims' means the existing research contains many disagreements or opposing positions.
Question 6: Which sentence best expresses a hypothetical rather than a factual statement?
- Climate change is accelerating at an unprecedented rate.
- Were funding to increase, research output would likely improve. (Correct answer)
- The experiment yielded statistically significant results.
- Participants completed the survey within two weeks.
Correct answer: Were funding to increase, research output would likely improve.
The inverted conditional structure 'Were funding to increase' signals a hypothetical scenario, not a stated fact.
Question 7: What does 'The author hedges the claim by using the phrase arguably' mean in academic reading?
- The author is presenting the claim as absolute fact.
- The author is indicating the claim is widely accepted.
- The author is softening the claim to acknowledge possible disagreement. (Correct answer)
- The author is refuting the claim entirely.
Correct answer: The author is softening the claim to acknowledge possible disagreement.
Hedging language like 'arguably' signals the writer is not fully committed to the claim and recognizes it could be disputed.
EAP Sentence Meaning 2
What does the sentence 'The researcher's findings, while preliminary, suggest a promising avenue for future investigation' primarily convey?