FREE NBT Academic Literacy Questions and Answers
"Analyzing Arguments"
In the realm of debate and discourse, identifying logical fallacies is crucial. Logical fallacies are flaws in reasoning that weaken arguments and undermine their validity. From ad hominem attacks to straw man arguments, recognizing these fallacies helps individuals assess the strength of an argument and discern truth from falsehood. Developing the skill of analyzing arguments equips individuals with the tools to engage in informed and rational discourse.
In the context of "Analyzing Arguments," a logical fallacy refers to:
Explanation:
Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning or flawed arguments that may appear valid but are actually deceptive or misleading, undermining the credibility of the argument.
"The Importance of Reading"
In today's fast-paced world, the importance of reading cannot be overstated. Reading not only entertains but also enriches the mind. It enhances mental agility, improves vocabulary, and fosters critical thinking skills. Whether it's fiction or non-fiction, diving into a good book opens doors to new worlds and perspectives. In a society increasingly dominated by digital media, carving out time for reading is essential for personal growth and development.
In the passage "The Importance of Reading," the author emphasizes that reading enhances:
Explanation:
The passage discusses the benefits of reading, highlighting how it improves mental agility by stimulating the brain, enhancing critical thinking skills, and boosting cognitive function.
The Influence of Advertising - Paragraph 2:
Advertising has become a type of culture with ardent followers. In the process, it attracts enviable attention from manufacturers and service providers who fancy an edge over their competitors. Unfortunately, in keeping with the ever-increasing demands of the manufacturers, the advertisers have resorted to creating unnecessary wants and excess consumption in most of us. This is a craving for harmful products that we are better off without. It preys on our minds, rendering us completely irrational. The billboards (hoardings), television, and radio advertisements target us from a very early age, forming our view of the world as we grow into adults.
In paragraph 2, the word “ardent” can be substituted with the word: (vocabulary)
Explanation:
In the context of the paragraph, the word "ardent" describes the followers of advertising as enthusiastic and devoted. A suitable synonym for "ardent" in this context would be "passionate," which conveys a strong sense of dedication and enthusiasm. Therefore, option a is the most appropriate substitution for the word "ardent" in this sentence.
The Influence of Advertising - Paragraph 3:
The notion that the media are primarily in place to give us news is not very true. If the truth may be told, the media are there to gather a large enough audience, package them into a pricey commodity, and sell it to the advertisers. The advertisers, on the other hand, are always on the lookout for a target audience to persuade them that this product or service is better than that of the competitor.
The main idea of paragraph 3 is that (essential/non-essential)
Explanation:
Paragraph 3 discusses the symbiotic relationship between the media and advertisers. It highlights how the media's primary goal is to gather an audience that can be sold to advertisers, who, in turn, aim to persuade consumers to choose their products over competitors. This indicates that the media and advertisers work together to achieve their respective goals, suggesting a complementary relationship between them.
"Interpreting Graphs"
Graphs are powerful tools for visualizing data and identifying trends. The x-axis typically represents the independent variable, while the y-axis represents the dependent variable. By plotting data points and observing patterns, researchers can conclude and make predictions. Understanding how to interpret graphs is essential for making sense of complex information and communicating findings effectively.
In the passage "Interpreting Graphs," what does the x-axis typically represent?
Explanation:
In graph interpretation, the x-axis usually represents the independent variable, which is the factor being manipulated or controlled in an experiment or study.
The Influence of Advertising - Paragraph 4:
In a nutshell, advertising does influence people. Most of the advertisements are filled with images that equate emotional well-being with material acquisition and associate independence and leisure with the consumption of alcohol. Advertising also makes people lavish their effect on products rather than real people, thereby destroying human relationships. We have become trapped in the web of advertising where products like brands of beer and cigarettes take over our minds, doing away with our core family values.
In paragraph 4, we read that “Most advertisements … associate independence and leisure with consumption of alcohol.” This suggests that advertisements mainly communicate the message that (inferencing):
Explanation:
Paragraph 4 suggests that advertisements often associate independence and leisure with the consumption of alcohol. This implies that the message conveyed by these advertisements is that being independent and having leisure time are linked to drinking alcohol. Therefore, option A best reflects the inference drawn from this statement.
The Influence of Advertising - Paragraph 2:
Advertising has become a type of culture with ardent followers. In the process, it attracts enviable attention from manufacturers and service providers who fancy an edge over their competitors. Unfortunately, in keeping with the ever-increasing demands of the manufacturers, the advertisers have resorted to creating unnecessary wants and excess consumption in most of us. This is a craving for harmful products that we are better off without. It preys on our minds, rendering us completely irrational. The billboards (hoardings), television, and radio advertisements target us from a very early age, forming our view of the world as we grow into adults.
In paragraph 2, the phrase “fancy an edge over” means: (metaphor)
Explanation:
In paragraph 2, the phrase "fancy an edge over" is used metaphorically to mean desiring to have a competitive advantage over others. This phrase suggests that manufacturers and service providers aim to gain an edge or superiority over their competitors in the market. Therefore, option c best reflects the meaning of this metaphor in the context of the paragraph.
The Influence of Advertising - Paragraph 1:
Advertising was initially meant to make people aware of the goods available in the market. It was as simple as announcing what you have in your store or the services you offer on your premises. Over the years, advertising has evolved into a major industry that goes beyond informing, to persuading and influencing. It is a form of brainwashing consumers.
The overall purpose of paragraph 1 is to do the following: (communicative function)
Explanation:
Paragraph 1 discusses the evolution of advertising from a simple means of informing consumers about available goods to a more complex practice that aims to persuade and influence consumer behavior. This evolution is highlighted by the statement that advertising has become a form of brainwashing consumers. Therefore, option d best captures the overall purpose of the paragraph.
The Influence of Advertising - Paragraph 2:
Advertising has become a type of culture with ardent followers. In the process, it attracts enviable attention from manufacturers and service providers who fancy an edge over their competitors. Unfortunately, in keeping with the ever-increasing demands of the manufacturers, the advertisers have resorted to creating unnecessary wants and excess consumption in most of us. This is a craving for harmful products that we are better off without. It preys on our minds, rendering us completely irrational. The billboards (hoardings), television, and radio advertisements target us from a very early age, forming our view of the world as we grow into adults.
In paragraph 2, we read: “This is a craving for harmful products that we are better off without.” In this sentence, the word “This” mainly refers to (cohesion)
Explanation:
In the context of the paragraph, the word "This" refers to the preceding statement about advertisers creating unnecessary wants and excess consumption. Therefore, option c, "unnecessary wants," is the term to which "This" mainly refers in the sentence.
The Influence of Advertising - Paragraph 2:
Advertising has become a type of culture with ardent followers. In the process, it attracts enviable attention from manufacturers and service providers who fancy an edge over their competitors. Unfortunately, in keeping with the ever-increasing demands of the manufacturers, the advertisers have resorted to creating unnecessary wants and excess consumption in most of us. This is a craving for harmful products that we are better off without. It preys on our minds, rendering us completely irrational. The billboards (hoardings), television, and radio advertisements target us from a very early age, forming our view of the world as we grow into adults.
In the first sentence of paragraph 2, the phrase “has become” signals that the change in advertising: (grammar/syntax)
Explanation:
The phrase "has become" in the first sentence of paragraph 2 indicates an ongoing process. It suggests that advertising has evolved into a type of culture and continues to have a significant impact on society. Therefore, option c best reflects the meaning conveyed by this phrase in the context of the paragraph.
"The Power of Words"
Words hold immense power. They can inspire, motivate, and shape our perceptions of the world. Rhetoric, the art of persuasion through language, plays a significant role in communication. From political speeches to advertising slogans, rhetoric is employed to sway opinions and influence behavior. Understanding the power of words empowers individuals to communicate effectively and critically evaluate the messages they encounter.
According to the passage "The Power of Words," the term "rhetoric" refers to:
Explanation:
The passage discusses the impact of language and communication, introducing the term "rhetoric" as the art of using language effectively to persuade or influence others.