ELTIS - English Language Test for International Students Academic Vocabulary in Context Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A science teacher says, 'Before we begin the experiment, you must first formulate a hypothesis about what you think will happen when we mix these two chemicals. This is our initial, testable prediction.' In this context, what is a 'hypothesis'?
- A summary of the final results
- A list of necessary materials
- An educated guess that can be tested (Correct answer)
- A safety rule for the lab
Correct answer: An educated guess that can be tested
The teacher defines a hypothesis as an 'initial, testable prediction,' which is the same as an educated guess that can be scientifically tested. [2, 4, 6]
Question 2: A history teacher gives an assignment: 'For your research paper on ancient Egypt, you must use at least two primary sources. These are original materials from the time period itself, not someone else's later interpretation of the events.' Which of the following is a 'primary source' for this assignment?
- A modern documentary about the pyramids
- A chapter in your history textbook about pharaohs
- An encyclopedia article about Egyptian life
- A carving with hieroglyphics from an ancient tomb (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A carving with hieroglyphics from an ancient tomb
A carving from the time period is an original artifact and a firsthand source of information, which fits the teacher's definition of a primary source. The other options are secondary sources because they analyze or summarize events from a later time. [1, 7, 9]
Question 3: A teacher says, 'The experiment requires a sterile environment; any contamination could alter the results. Consequently, you must wash your hands and wear gloves before touching any of the equipment.' The word 'consequently' is used to show...
- a result or effect. (Correct answer)
- an opposing idea.
- an example.
- a sequence in time.
Correct answer: a result or effect.
The need for a sterile environment is the cause, and the requirement to wash hands is the result or effect. 'Consequently' is a transition word that connects a cause to its logical effect.
Question 4: A teacher tells the class, 'When I grade your oral presentations, I will use specific criteria. Fifty percent of your grade will be based on the accuracy of your information, thirty percent on your presentation skills, and twenty percent on the clarity of your visual aids.' What is the teacher explaining to the students?
- The topics they can choose from
- The standards by which their work will be judged (Correct answer)
- The date the project is due
- The people they will be working with
Correct answer: The standards by which their work will be judged
The teacher is listing the specific standards (accuracy, presentation skills, etc.) that will be used to evaluate, or judge, the presentations. These standards are the grading criteria. [13, 18, 22]
Question 5: For homework, a literature teacher instructs the class: 'I want you to analyze the main character's decision in the final chapter. Don't just summarize what happened; I want you to examine why he made that choice and what it reveals about his values.' What does the teacher want the students to do?
- Create a list of all the events in the chapter.
- Rewrite the ending of the story.
- Memorize the character's final lines of dialogue.
- Examine the parts of something in detail to understand it better. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Examine the parts of something in detail to understand it better.
The teacher's instruction to 'examine why' the character made a choice, rather than just summarizing, is asking for an analysis. To analyze something is to break it down into its components to understand how they work together to create meaning. [5, 8, 15]
Question 6: In a social studies class, the teacher says, 'The establishment of trade routes was a fundamental development for ancient civilizations.' What is the best synonym for 'fundamental' in this sentence?
- Complicated
- Essential (Correct answer)
- Unexpected
- Temporary
Correct answer: Essential
'Fundamental' means serving as a core or essential part of a foundation. In this context, the teacher is saying that trade routes were an essential or central part of the development of these civilizations.
ELTIS - English Language Test for International Students Academic Vocabulary in Context Questions and Answers
A science teacher says, 'Before we begin the experiment, you must first formulate a hypothesis about what you think will happen when we mix these two chemicals.
This is our initial, testable prediction.' In this context, what is a 'hypothesis'?