ELSA ELSA Academic Language & Register 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses the most formal academic register?
- The results indicate a significant correlation between the two variables. (Correct answer)
- The results show a big connection between the two things.
- We found out that the two things are really related.
- It seems like the results match up pretty well.
Correct answer: The results indicate a significant correlation between the two variables.
Academic register uses formal vocabulary like 'indicate,' 'significant,' and 'correlation' rather than informal phrasing.
Question 2: Which transition word best signals a contrast between two ideas?
- However (Correct answer)
- Furthermore
- Therefore
- Similarly
Correct answer: However
'However' is used to introduce a contrasting or opposing idea in academic and formal writing.
Question 3: In an academic essay, what is the purpose of a thesis statement?
- To state the central argument or main claim of the essay (Correct answer)
- To summarize background information on the topic
- To list all the evidence that will be used
- To conclude the essay with final thoughts
Correct answer: To state the central argument or main claim of the essay
A thesis statement presents the writer's central argument or position, typically at the end of the introduction paragraph.
Question 4: Which of the following best replaces 'get' in a formal academic context: 'Students should ___ feedback from their instructors.'?
- obtain (Correct answer)
- grab
- pick up
- snag
Correct answer: obtain
'Obtain' is the formal academic equivalent of the informal 'get' and is appropriate in written academic contexts.
Question 5: Which sentence correctly uses a hedging expression appropriate for academic writing?
- The data suggest that urban populations may be more vulnerable to this effect. (Correct answer)
- The data prove that urban populations are definitely more vulnerable to this effect.
- Obviously, urban populations are more vulnerable to this effect.
- Urban populations are obviously totally more at risk.
Correct answer: The data suggest that urban populations may be more vulnerable to this effect.
Hedging language such as 'suggest' and 'may' allows academic writers to make cautious, evidence-based claims without overstating certainty.
Question 6: What does it mean to paraphrase a source in academic writing?
- To restate the author's ideas in your own words while citing the source (Correct answer)
- To copy the author's exact words inside quotation marks
- To summarize an entire article in one sentence
- To translate a source from another language
Correct answer: To restate the author's ideas in your own words while citing the source
Paraphrasing means restating someone else's ideas in your own words and sentence structure while still crediting the original source.
ELSA ELSA Academic Language & Register 1
Which sentence uses the most formal academic register?