NBT Academic Literacy Vocabulary and Inference

Question 1

A passage says a policy was 'implemented incrementally'. What can you infer about how the policy was introduced?

Accepted Answer

Gradually, in stages over time

Answer

Only on paper, never in practice

Answer

All at once on a single day

Answer

Secretly and without notice

Question 2

In the sentence 'The minister's response was evasive,' the word 'evasive' suggests the minister:

Accepted Answer

Avoided giving a straight answer

Answer

Refused to speak at all

Answer

Gave a written report

Answer

Answered directly and clearly

Question 3

An author writes that survey results were 'skewed' by a small sample. The word 'skewed' implies the results were:

Accepted Answer

Distorted or biased

Answer

Perfectly balanced

Answer

Translated incorrectly

Answer

Doubled in size

Question 4

A text notes that two researchers reached 'divergent' conclusions. This means their conclusions were:

Accepted Answer

Different from each other

Answer

Identical

Answer

Never published

Answer

Both wrong

Question 5

If a passage describes a plan as 'feasible', the writer believes the plan is:

Accepted Answer

Capable of being done successfully

Answer

Too expensive to consider

Answer

Already completed

Answer

Impossible to carry out

Question 6

A passage states: 'Attendance dwindled over the term.' From 'dwindled', you can infer attendance:

Accepted Answer

Decreased gradually

Answer

Was never recorded

Answer

Grew steadily

Answer

Stayed exactly the same

Question 7

When an academic writer uses the phrase 'it is widely assumed that', they are most likely about to:

Accepted Answer

Introduce a common belief they may then question

Answer

State a proven fact they fully accept

Answer

Quote a dictionary definition

Answer

End the essay

Question 8

A passage describes a finding as 'counterintuitive'. This suggests the finding:

Accepted Answer

Goes against what most people would expect

Answer

Is impossible to measure

Answer

Matches what most people expect

Answer

Was expected by everyone