NBT NBT Academic and Quantitative Literacy 3

Question 1

Read the following passage and answer the question:

'Load shedding, South Africa's system of planned power outages implemented by Eskom, has had a profound impact on the economy. Small businesses, which form the backbone of local economies, are disproportionately affected. Unlike large corporations, they often cannot afford generators or alternative energy solutions. A study found that small businesses lose an average of R500 per hour of load shedding.'

According to the passage, why are small businesses more affected by load shedding than large corporations?

Accepted Answer

Small businesses often cannot afford alternative energy solutions

Answer

Small businesses are less important to the economy

Answer

Small businesses operate fewer hours per day

Answer

Small businesses are located in areas with more frequent outages

Question 2

Based on the load shedding passage, if a small business experiences Stage 4 load shedding (8 hours of outages per day) for 20 working days in a month, what is the estimated monthly loss?

Accepted Answer

R80 000

Answer

R100 000

Answer

R60 000

Answer

R120 000

Question 3

A researcher surveys 1 200 South Africans about their primary source of news. The results are:
- Television: 480
- Social media: 360
- Radio: 240
- Newspapers: 120

What percentage of respondents chose either television or social media as their primary news source?

Accepted Answer

70%

Answer

55%

Answer

60%

Answer

65%

Question 4

Which of the following sentences uses the word 'nominal' correctly in an academic context?

Accepted Answer

The fee charged was nominal — just R10 — to cover administrative costs.

Answer

The nominal price of the textbook was R450, meaning it was very expensive.

Answer

The student had a nominal understanding of the subject, meaning she knew it very well.

Answer

The nominal rainfall in Cape Town is very high throughout the year.

Question 5

A line graph shows South Africa's unemployment rate over five years:
2018: 27.1%
2019: 28.7%
2020: 32.6%
2021: 34.5%
2022: 33.9%

Which statement is best supported by this data?

Accepted Answer

Unemployment reached its highest point in 2021 and then began to decline

Answer

Unemployment decreased consistently from 2018 to 2022

Answer

The unemployment rate in 2022 was lower than in 2018

Answer

Unemployment increased every year without exception

Question 6

A text states: 'The majority of South Africa's population resides in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.'

If South Africa's total population is approximately 60 million, and these three provinces together account for 58% of the population, approximately how many people live outside these three provinces?

Accepted Answer

25 200 000

Answer

34 800 000

Answer

25 000 000

Answer

21 600 000

Question 7

Read the following argument and identify the rhetorical technique used:

'If we do not invest in education now, South Africa will face a generation of unemployable youth, a collapse of the tax base, runaway crime, and ultimately the failure of the state itself.'

Which rhetorical technique does this argument primarily use?

Accepted Answer

Slippery slope

Answer

Understatement

Answer

Ethos appeal

Answer

Anaphora