EAP Vocabulary in Context 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the sentence 'The two theories are not mutually exclusive; they can coexist and even complement each other,' what does 'mutually exclusive' mean?
- Both equally valid
- Unable to both be true at the same time (Correct answer)
- Widely accepted by experts
- Dependent on each other
Correct answer: Unable to both be true at the same time
'Mutually exclusive' describes two things that cannot both be true or occur simultaneously.
Question 2: Read: 'The data substantiate the hypothesis that diet influences cognitive performance.' 'Substantiate' means:
- Contradict with counter-evidence
- Provide evidence to support or prove (Correct answer)
- Question the reliability of
- Summarize without analysis
Correct answer: Provide evidence to support or prove
'Substantiate' means to provide concrete evidence or proof for a claim.
Question 3: In 'The researcher adopted an eclectic methodology, drawing from sociology, linguistics, and economics,' 'eclectic' means:
- Selecting elements from a variety of sources or styles (Correct answer)
- Focusing exclusively on one discipline
- Based solely on empirical data
- Established by a single authority
Correct answer: Selecting elements from a variety of sources or styles
'Eclectic' describes the practice of selecting what seems best from diverse sources or systems.
Question 4: The passage notes that 'critics leveled a scathing rebuke at the administration's handling of the crisis.' A 'rebuke' is:
- A formal acknowledgment of success
- An expression of sharp disapproval or criticism (Correct answer)
- A statistical measure of failure
- A policy reversal
Correct answer: An expression of sharp disapproval or criticism
A 'rebuke' is a sharp, critical expression of disapproval directed at someone's actions.
Question 5: In academic writing, an 'abstract' concept is one that is:
- Based on concrete, physical examples
- Theoretical and not tied to a specific material instance (Correct answer)
- Too simple for advanced study
- Summarized at the beginning of a paper
Correct answer: Theoretical and not tied to a specific material instance
In academic vocabulary, 'abstract' means existing as a concept rather than as a material object.
Question 6: Which definition of 'mitigate' is correct as used in 'Researchers proposed measures to mitigate the negative effects of pollution'?
- To completely eliminate
- To measure accurately
- To make less severe or serious (Correct answer)
- To draw attention to
Correct answer: To make less severe or serious
'Mitigate' means to lessen the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.
Question 7: In 'The author's use of anecdotal evidence was criticized for lacking rigor,' 'rigor' refers to:
- Creativity and originality
- Brevity and conciseness
- Thoroughness and strict adherence to methodological standards (Correct answer)
- Emotional resonance
Correct answer: Thoroughness and strict adherence to methodological standards
Academic 'rigor' denotes the careful, precise, and methodologically sound approach expected in scholarly work.
EAP Vocabulary in Context 4
In the sentence 'The two theories are not mutually exclusive; they can coexist and even complement each other,' what does 'mutually exclusive' mean?