ESOL Academic English 4

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses a relative clause with 'which' to add non-essential information?

Accepted Answer

The study, which was published last year, confirmed the hypothesis.

Answer

The study which was published last year is important.

Answer

The study that was published last year confirmed the hypothesis.

Answer

Which was published last year, the study confirmed the hypothesis.

Question 2

What is 'synthesis' in academic writing?

Accepted Answer

Combining ideas from multiple sources to support your own argument.

Answer

Copying key sentences from multiple sources.

Answer

Writing a personal reflection on a topic.

Answer

Creating a numbered list of source summaries.

Question 3

A student writes: 'Despite of the challenges, they succeeded.' What is wrong?

Accepted Answer

'Despite' cannot be followed by 'of'; the correct form is 'Despite the challenges.'

Answer

'Despite' should be replaced with 'Although'.

Answer

The sentence is missing a subject.

Answer

The verb 'succeeded' is in the wrong tense.

Question 4

In academic reading, what does 'inference' mean?

Accepted Answer

A conclusion drawn from evidence not explicitly stated in the text.

Answer

A direct quote from a text.

Answer

A restatement of the author's main point.

Answer

A reference to an outside source.

Question 5

Which choice is an example of a nominalization (turning a verb into a noun) common in academic writing?

Accepted Answer

Our investigation of the problem began in May.

Answer

We decided to investigate the problem.

Answer

The scientists carefully investigated.

Answer

Investigating is an important step.

Question 6

What is the difference between 'fewer' and 'less' in academic writing?

Accepted Answer

'Fewer' is used for countable nouns; 'less' is used for uncountable nouns.

Answer

'Fewer' is more formal; both can be used interchangeably.

Answer

'Less' is used for countable nouns; 'fewer' is used for uncountable nouns.

Answer

They are synonyms with no grammatical difference.

Question 7

What does a 'counterargument' do in an academic essay?

Accepted Answer

It presents and then addresses an opposing viewpoint to strengthen the argument.

Answer

It restates the thesis in different words.

Answer

It lists all sources that disagree with the author.

Answer

It introduces new evidence in the conclusion.