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

'Eventually endorsed' signals final approval. 'Despite initial scepticism' shows the municipality first had doubts but ultimately supported the scheme, so option B is correct.

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

'Consequently' introduces a result or effect that follows from a previously stated cause, making it a cause-and-effect connector.

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

'Tentative' means not yet definite or provisional. The clause 'should not be generalised' reinforces that the findings are uncertain.

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

'The latter' always refers to the second of two items mentioned. Here the second item is 'experimentation'.

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

'Compelling' shows the evidence is strong, but 'far from conclusive' shows it does not fully settle the matter, so it is strong but not decisive.

National Benchmark Test (NBT) Practice Test

National Benchmark Test (NBT) Practice Test

NBT Academic Literacy Reading