NBT NBT Academic and Quantitative Literacy 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the following passage and answer the question:
'The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, adopted in 1996, is regarded as one of the most progressive constitutions in the world. It enshrines fundamental rights and freedoms for all citizens, irrespective of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The Bill of Rights, contained in Chapter 2, serves as the cornerstone of democracy in South Africa.'
What is the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights according to the passage?
- To outline the duties of the President
- To serve as the cornerstone of democracy by enshrining fundamental rights (Correct answer)
- To describe the structure of Parliament
- To regulate trade and commerce in South Africa
Correct answer: To serve as the cornerstone of democracy by enshrining fundamental rights
The passage explicitly states that the Bill of Rights 'serves as the cornerstone of democracy in South Africa' by enshrining fundamental rights and freedoms.
The passage states that the Bill of Rights, found in Chapter 2 of the Constitution, serves as the cornerstone of democracy. It enshrines fundamental rights and freedoms for all citizens regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The other options describe roles not mentioned in the passage — the President's duties, Parliament's structure, and trade regulation are not discussed.
Question 2: Which word is closest in meaning to 'enshrines' as used in the sentence: 'It enshrines fundamental rights and freedoms for all citizens'?
- Destroys
- Protects and preserves (Correct answer)
- Ignores
- Temporarily grants
Correct answer: Protects and preserves
'Enshrines' means to preserve or cherish something as sacred and inviolable. In this context it means the Constitution formally protects and preserves the rights of citizens.
'Enshrines' is derived from 'shrine,' implying something sacred and protected. When a constitution 'enshrines' rights, it formally establishes and protects those rights as inviolable. 'Destroys' is the opposite meaning. 'Ignores' means to pay no attention. 'Temporarily grants' contradicts the permanent nature of constitutional rights. 'Protects and preserves' is the correct synonym.
Question 3: Read the following extract:
'Urbanisation in South Africa has accelerated dramatically since the end of apartheid. Millions of people have migrated from rural areas to cities in search of economic opportunities. However, this rapid urban growth has also led to the proliferation of informal settlements, strain on municipal services, and increased unemployment in metropolitan areas.'
What inference can be drawn from the extract about urbanisation in South Africa?
- Urbanisation has only brought positive outcomes for South Africans
- Rural areas are now more prosperous than urban areas
- Urbanisation has created both opportunities and significant challenges (Correct answer)
- The government has successfully managed urban growth
Correct answer: Urbanisation has created both opportunities and significant challenges
The passage describes both the draw of economic opportunities (positive) and the resulting problems — informal settlements, strained services, and unemployment (negative) — indicating a mixed outcome.
The extract presents a balanced picture: people migrate for economic opportunities (a positive pull factor), but this has led to informal settlements, strain on services, and unemployment (negative consequences). Option A is incorrect because the passage explicitly mentions problems. Option B is unsupported — rural prosperity is not discussed. Option D is contradicted by the mention of ongoing strain and unemployment, suggesting management challenges remain.
Question 4: In academic writing, which sentence structure is most appropriate for introducing a counterargument?
- Some people think this idea is wrong.
- While proponents argue that economic growth reduces inequality, critics contend that the benefits are not equitably distributed. (Correct answer)
- I disagree with this because it doesn't make sense.
- Everybody knows that this argument is false.
Correct answer: While proponents argue that economic growth reduces inequality, critics contend that the benefits are not equitably distributed.
Academic writing requires formal, nuanced language. Option B uses appropriate hedging ('proponents argue,' 'critics contend') and presents both sides objectively without personal bias or informal language.
Option A is too vague and informal ('some people think'). Option C uses first person ('I disagree') and lacks specificity, which is inappropriate for academic writing. Option D uses absolute language ('everybody knows') which is unacademic and overstated. Option B correctly uses attribution ('proponents argue,' 'critics contend'), presents a nuanced counterargument, and maintains an objective, formal tone appropriate for academic discourse.
Question 5: Read the following sentence and identify the logical flaw:
'Since crime rates in Johannesburg are high, it must mean that all South African cities are equally dangerous.'
What logical error does the sentence contain?
- Circular reasoning
- Hasty generalisation (Correct answer)
- Appeal to authority
- False dichotomy
Correct answer: Hasty generalisation
A hasty generalisation draws a broad conclusion from insufficient evidence. Inferring that ALL South African cities are equally dangerous based on data from only one city (Johannesburg) is a hasty generalisation.
Hasty generalisation occurs when a conclusion is drawn from too little evidence or an unrepresentative sample. Here, Johannesburg's crime statistics are used to make a claim about ALL South African cities, which ignores the significant variation in crime rates across different cities and regions. Circular reasoning restates the premise as the conclusion. Appeal to authority cites an expert to validate a claim. False dichotomy presents only two options when more exist. None of these match the error made.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the function of a topic sentence in an academic paragraph?
- To provide detailed evidence and statistics
- To conclude the argument of the entire essay
- To introduce the main idea that the paragraph will develop (Correct answer)
- To list all sources used in the paragraph
Correct answer: To introduce the main idea that the paragraph will develop
A topic sentence introduces the central idea or main point of a paragraph. The rest of the paragraph then develops, supports, or elaborates on this idea.
A topic sentence typically appears at the beginning of a paragraph and states the paragraph's main idea. It acts as a mini-thesis for that paragraph. Option A describes supporting sentences that provide evidence. Option B describes the function of a conclusion sentence or concluding paragraph. Option D describes a reference list or footnotes, not a topic sentence. Understanding paragraph structure is fundamental to academic literacy.
Question 7: The following sentence contains a vocabulary challenge:
'The proliferation of misinformation on social media platforms has exacerbated existing societal divisions.'
What does 'exacerbated' mean?
- Reduced or minimised
- Made worse or more severe (Correct answer)
- Temporarily paused
- Completely eliminated
Correct answer: Made worse or more severe
'Exacerbated' means to make a problem, bad situation, or negative condition worse or more severe. Here, misinformation has worsened existing societal divisions.
'Exacerbated' comes from the Latin 'exacerbare,' meaning to make harsh or bitter. When something exacerbates a situation, it intensifies or worsens it. In the sentence, misinformation is said to have made existing societal divisions worse, not better. 'Reduced or minimised' is the antonym. 'Temporarily paused' implies a stop, which is unrelated. 'Completely eliminated' is also the opposite of the word's meaning.
