MoCA Language 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many sentences does the MoCA sentence repetition task ask the patient to repeat?
- One sentence
- Two sentences (Correct answer)
- Three sentences
- Four sentences
Correct answer: Two sentences
The MoCA language section includes two sentences that the patient must repeat exactly. Each sentence is long, syntactically complex, and read once by the examiner.
Question 2: How many points is each sentence in the MoCA repetition task worth?
- 0.5 points each
- 1 point each (Correct answer)
- 2 points each
- 3 points combined
Correct answer: 1 point each
Each correctly repeated sentence earns 1 point for a total of 2 points. The sentence must be repeated word-for-word exactly; omissions or substitutions result in a score of 0 for that sentence.
Question 3: The MoCA letter fluency task (letter F, 60 seconds) is listed under which domain?
- Executive Function
- Language (Correct answer)
- Attention
- Memory
Correct answer: Language
On the MoCA scoring sheet, the letter fluency task is placed under the Language domain even though it also engages executive functions. It tests verbal generativity and phonemic processing.
Question 4: A patient repeats a MoCA sentence correctly except for substituting the word "big" for "large." This response is scored as:
- 1 point — semantic equivalence is accepted
- 0 points — the sentence must be repeated exactly (Correct answer)
- 0.5 points for a near-correct repetition
- 1 point if only one error is made
Correct answer: 0 points — the sentence must be repeated exactly
Sentence repetition requires verbatim reproduction. Any word substitution, omission, or addition — even if semantically similar — results in 0 points for that sentence.
Question 5: On the MoCA, the naming domain asks the patient to name how many pictured animals?
- 2 animals
- 3 animals (Correct answer)
- 4 animals
- 5 animals
Correct answer: 3 animals
The MoCA naming task presents three pictures of animals (a lion, a camel/dromedary, and a rhinoceros) and asks the patient to name each one. Each correct name earns 1 point.
Question 6: Why does the MoCA use low-frequency animal names (camel, rhinoceros, lion) rather than common animals for the naming task?
- To make the test more entertaining
- Because low-frequency names are more sensitive to naming deficits (Correct answer)
- Because these animals are internationally recognized
- To test cultural knowledge
Correct answer: Because low-frequency names are more sensitive to naming deficits
Low-frequency animal names are used because they test the naming ability more sensitively. Naming a dog or cat would be too easy for most patients; uncommon animals differentiate more effectively between intact and impaired naming.
MoCA Language 2
How many sentences does the MoCA sentence repetition task ask the patient to repeat?