NBT Academic Literacy Reading

Question 1

In the AQL Academic Literacy section, a passage states: 'Despite initial scepticism, the municipality eventually endorsed the recycling scheme.' What does this sentence tell you about the municipality's final position?

Accepted Answer

It supported the recycling scheme in the end

Answer

It proposed an entirely different scheme

Answer

It remained undecided about the scheme

Answer

It rejected the recycling scheme outright

Question 2

A reading passage uses the word 'consequently' to begin a sentence. What relationship does this signpost word indicate?

Accepted Answer

Cause and effect

Answer

Contrast

Answer

Comparison

Answer

Sequence in time only

Question 3

Read this sentence: 'The study's findings were tentative and should not be generalised.' What does 'tentative' most nearly mean here?

Accepted Answer

Provisional and uncertain

Answer

Statistically perfect

Answer

Final and certain

Answer

Widely accepted

Question 4

An academic text refers to 'the latter' when discussing two methods. If the methods mentioned are 'observation and experimentation', what does 'the latter' refer to?

Accepted Answer

Experimentation

Answer

Observation

Answer

Both methods equally

Answer

Neither method

Question 5

A passage concludes: 'The evidence, while compelling, is far from conclusive.' What is the author's overall stance toward the evidence?

Accepted Answer

The evidence is strong but not yet decisive

Answer

The evidence proves the case completely

Answer

The evidence is weak and irrelevant

Answer

The evidence is fabricated

Question 6

In academic reading, a 'main idea' of a paragraph is best described as:

Accepted Answer

The central point the paragraph develops

Answer

The first word of the paragraph

Answer

A single supporting example

Answer

An unrelated side comment

Question 7

A text states: 'Whereas urban schools reported improvements, rural schools saw little change.' The word 'whereas' signals:

Accepted Answer

A contrast between the two groups

Answer

A cause of the change

Answer

Agreement between the two groups

Answer

A chronological order

Question 8

If an academic passage describes an argument as 'unsubstantiated', the writer is suggesting the argument is:

Accepted Answer

Not backed by sufficient evidence

Answer

Too long to read

Answer

Translated from another language

Answer

Well supported by evidence