MoCA Sentence Repetition 3

Question 1

Which of the following best illustrates why the MoCA uses complex sentences for repetition rather than simple ones?

Accepted Answer

Simple sentences are too easy and fail to detect cognitive impairment

Answer

Complex sentences with multiple clauses and less predictable structures push the limits of phonological working memory, whereas simple sentences (e.g., "The dog ran.") can often be repeated by patients with significant cognitive impairment.

Question 2

A patient with Broca's aphasia attempts MoCA sentence repetition but produces a telegraphic output, omitting function words. This performance reflects:

Accepted Answer

A language disorder (agrammatic aphasia) affecting sentence repetition

Answer

Broca's aphasia is characterized by non-fluent, effortful speech with omission of grammatical function words (agrammatism). This pattern on repetition reflects a language disorder distinct from dementia.

Question 3

On the MoCA, the language domain (naming + sentence repetition + fluency) accounts for how many total points?

Accepted Answer

6 points

Answer

The language domain includes: 3 points for naming (3 animals), 2 points for sentence repetition (2 sentences), and 1 point for letter fluency (11+ F-words in 60 sec) = 6 points total.

Question 4

If a patient spontaneously corrects a sentence repetition error during the same utterance, the examiner should:

Accepted Answer

Award 0 points because the final response was not verbatim from the start

Answer

A spontaneous correction within the same utterance is clinically debated. In strict scoring, verbatim reproduction is required. A clinician should note any self-corrections and use clinical judgment, but standard scoring awards 0 for non-verbatim responses.

Question 5

What is the practical clinical implication of a patient scoring 0 on both MoCA sentence repetition items?

Accepted Answer

It reduces the total score by 2, which can push a borderline score into the impaired range

Answer

Scoring 0 on both sentences represents a meaningful 2-point reduction. Combined with other domain failures, it can push a patient below the MCI cutoff and warrants referral for comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation.

(MoCA) Montreal Cognitive Assessment Practice Test

(MoCA) Montreal Cognitive Assessment Practice Test

MoCA Sentence Repetition 3