MoCA Language 3

Question 1

What does a score below 11 words on the MoCA letter fluency task indicate about cognitive function?

Accepted Answer

Possible impairment in executive and language function

Answer

Letter fluency below 11 words suggests reduced executive control over word retrieval, which can reflect cognitive impairment across multiple domains.

Question 2

Which condition most commonly causes difficulty on the MoCA naming subtest due to progressive loss of object knowledge?

Accepted Answer

Semantic dementia

Answer

Semantic dementia involves progressive degradation of semantic memory, leading to profound naming failures even for common objects and animals.

Question 3

The MoCA repetition task is most sensitive to deficits in which cognitive-linguistic ability?

Accepted Answer

Phonological working memory and syntactic processing

Answer

Repeating complex sentences requires holding phonological sequences in working memory while processing syntax, making this task sensitive to phonological and syntactic deficits.

Question 4

A patient scores 0/2 on naming but 1/1 on fluency. Which interpretation is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Confrontational naming is impaired but word retrieval with phonemic cue is preserved

Answer

Dissociation between confrontational naming and phonemic fluency can occur; fluency provides a retrieval cue (letter) while naming requires unaided access to the word.

Question 5

Why does the MoCA use uncommon animals (lion, camel, rhinoceros) rather than a dog or cat for naming?

Accepted Answer

To reduce ceiling effects and better detect mild naming deficits

Answer

Common animals are named correctly even by individuals with significant cognitive decline, so less familiar animals create a more discriminating test.

(MoCA) Montreal Cognitive Assessment Practice Test

(MoCA) Montreal Cognitive Assessment Practice Test

MoCA Language 3