NBT NBT Academic Literacy: Tone, Register and Author's Attitude 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A legal document states: 'The party of the first part hereby agrees to indemnify the party of the second part against any and all claims arising from the said agreement.' What register is this?
- Legal/technical formal (Correct answer)
- Academic
- Conversational informal
- Journalistic
Correct answer: Legal/technical formal
Technical legal terminology ('hereby', 'indemnify', 'the party of the first part') defines legal/technical formal register.
Question 2: An author writes: 'One could scarcely argue that the administration's handling of the crisis has been anything but catastrophic.' What literary device is being used to convey the author's attitude?
- Understatement (litotes) (Correct answer)
- Hyperbole
- Metaphor
- Simile
Correct answer: Understatement (litotes)
The negative construction 'scarcely argue … anything but catastrophic' is a form of litotes — understatement that paradoxically emphasises the criticism.
Question 3: Read: 'The conference was, to put it charitably, poorly organised. Delegates wandered aimlessly, schedules went unobserved, and the catering was a feat of sustained disappointment.' The tone is:
- Sardonically critical (Correct answer)
- Warmly appreciative
- Formally neutral
- Nostalgic
Correct answer: Sardonically critical
'To put it charitably' and 'feat of sustained disappointment' combine irony with sharp criticism, creating a sardonic tone.
Question 4: Which sentence best indicates that an author is sympathetic toward the subject being discussed?
- Despite facing immense obstacles, these young people have demonstrated remarkable courage and determination. (Correct answer)
- These individuals have broken the rules and must accept the consequences.
- The data does not support any claim of exceptional performance.
- Whether or not these results are meaningful remains to be determined.
Correct answer: Despite facing immense obstacles, these young people have demonstrated remarkable courage and determination.
Words like 'immense obstacles', 'remarkable courage', and 'determination' express empathy and admiration — markers of sympathy.
Question 5: A science textbook states: 'Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.' What is the dominant register?
- Technical-educational formal (Correct answer)
- Informal conversational
- Emotive persuasive
- Ironic literary
Correct answer: Technical-educational formal
Scientific terminology delivered in clear, objective prose characterises technical-educational formal register.
Question 6: An opinion piece reads: 'Advocates of the new curriculum claim it promotes critical thinking. One wonders whether they have actually spoken to any teachers.' The author's attitude toward these advocates is:
- Sceptical and dismissive (Correct answer)
- Admiring and supportive
- Neutral and academic
- Confused
Correct answer: Sceptical and dismissive
'One wonders whether they have actually spoken to any teachers' is an ironic rhetorical question implying the advocates are out of touch — sceptical and dismissive.
Question 7: Which of the following extracts most clearly uses a passionate, persuasive tone?
- We must act now — every day of inaction costs lives and steals futures from generations who deserve better. (Correct answer)
- The data suggests that inaction may have negative long-term consequences.
- Inaction has been noted as a possible contributing factor in several studies.
- Some people think we should act on this issue sooner rather than later.
Correct answer: We must act now — every day of inaction costs lives and steals futures from generations who deserve better.
Imperative mood ('We must'), emotional stakes ('costs lives', 'steals futures'), and urgency combine to create a passionate, persuasive tone.
NBT NBT Academic Literacy: Tone, Register and Author's Attitude 3
A legal document states: 'The party of the first part hereby agrees to indemnify the party of the second part against any and all claims arising from the said agreement.' What register is this?