NBT NBT Academic Vocabulary and Language 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence contains a word used in an incorrect academic register?
- The researchers concluded that further analysis was warranted.
- The data revealed a significant correlation between the two variables.
- The experiment was super hard to do and the results were kinda weird. (Correct answer)
- The hypothesis was tested using a controlled experimental design.
Correct answer: The experiment was super hard to do and the results were kinda weird.
Words like 'super,' 'kinda,' and 'weird' are informal and inappropriate for academic writing.
Question 2: The word 'ostensibly' in the sentence 'He was ostensibly working but spent most of his time online' means:
- Genuinely and sincerely
- Apparently or on the surface, though perhaps not actually (Correct answer)
- Completely and thoroughly
- Reluctantly and unwillingly
Correct answer: Apparently or on the surface, though perhaps not actually
'Ostensibly' means as it appears on the surface, suggesting a difference between appearance and reality.
Question 3: Which pair of words are antonyms?
- Concise and succinct
- Ambiguous and clear (Correct answer)
- Infer and deduce
- Verify and confirm
Correct answer: Ambiguous and clear
'Ambiguous' means unclear or open to multiple interpretations, while 'clear' means easily understood — they are opposites.
Question 4: In academic texts, what is the function of a 'thesis statement'?
- To provide background context about the topic's history
- To list all the evidence that will be presented
- To state the central argument or claim the essay will support (Correct answer)
- To summarize what other authors have written about the topic
Correct answer: To state the central argument or claim the essay will support
A thesis statement presents the central argument or position that the rest of the essay will develop and support.
Question 5: Choose the sentence that correctly uses the word 'viable':
- The scientist viable the results of the experiment carefully.
- Reducing carbon emissions is a viable strategy for addressing climate change. (Correct answer)
- The student felt viable about passing the exam.
- The team worked viable to complete the project on time.
Correct answer: Reducing carbon emissions is a viable strategy for addressing climate change.
'Viable' is an adjective meaning capable of working successfully, and it correctly modifies 'strategy' in this sentence.
Question 6: What does it mean when an argument is described as 'tautological'?
- It relies heavily on emotional appeals
- It repeats the same point using different words without adding new information (Correct answer)
- It presents too many counterarguments
- It draws conclusions from insufficient evidence
Correct answer: It repeats the same point using different words without adding new information
A tautological argument is circular, restating the premise in the conclusion without offering new support.
Question 7: Which word correctly completes this sentence? 'The professor asked students to _______ between the two competing theories before forming an opinion.'
- discriminate
- evaluate
- differentiate (Correct answer)
- synthesize
Correct answer: differentiate
'Differentiate' means to recognize or identify differences between things, which fits the context of distinguishing between two theories.
NBT NBT Academic Vocabulary and Language 5
Which sentence contains a word used in an incorrect academic register?