NBT Academic Literacy: Text Coherence and Discourse Organisation — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which word or phrase signals a CONTRAST between two ideas in academic writing?
- Furthermore
- Nevertheless (Correct answer)
- Similarly
- In addition
Correct answer: Nevertheless
'Nevertheless' is a concessive discourse marker that signals a contrast or concession — the writer acknowledges one point but introduces an opposing or qualifying idea. 'Furthermore', 'Similarly', and 'In addition' all signal continuation or similarity, not contrast.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the function of a topic sentence in an academic paragraph?
- It provides a specific example or piece of evidence for the paragraph's argument
- It introduces the main idea or claim that the paragraph will develop (Correct answer)
- It summarises the entire essay's argument in a single sentence
- It connects two paragraphs by restating the previous paragraph's conclusion
Correct answer: It introduces the main idea or claim that the paragraph will develop
A topic sentence states the controlling idea of a paragraph — what the paragraph is about or what it argues. It is typically the first sentence and is then developed through supporting evidence and explanation. It does not provide evidence itself, nor does it summarise the whole text.
Question 3: Read the following: 'Scientists discovered a new compound. It significantly reduced inflammation in clinical trials.' What does the word 'it' refer to?
- The scientists
- A discovery
- A new compound (Correct answer)
- Inflammation
Correct answer: A new compound
'It' is a pronoun that refers back to 'a new compound' — the noun most recently introduced as the subject of the action. This is an example of a cohesive device called pronominal reference, which links sentences and maintains text flow.
Question 4: What organisational pattern does the following paragraph use? 'Unemployment rises when consumer confidence falls. As spending decreases, businesses cut production costs by reducing staff.'
- Comparison and contrast
- Problem and solution
- Cause and effect (Correct answer)
- Chronological sequence
Correct answer: Cause and effect
The paragraph shows how one event (falling consumer confidence) triggers another (rising unemployment), and then how that triggers another (businesses cutting staff). This chain of consequences is the cause-and-effect pattern. There is no problem/solution, no comparison, and no time-based sequencing.
Question 5: Read this paragraph: 'Water conservation is essential in arid regions. Installing low-flow taps reduces household water use significantly. Cape Town successfully avoided a water crisis in 2018. South Africa has a rich diversity of wildlife.' Which sentence does NOT belong?
- Installing low-flow taps reduces household water use significantly.
- Cape Town successfully avoided a water crisis in 2018.
- South Africa has a rich diversity of wildlife. (Correct answer)
- Water conservation is essential in arid regions.
Correct answer: South Africa has a rich diversity of wildlife.
The paragraph is about water conservation. Sentences about low-flow taps, Cape Town's water crisis, and the need for conservation all relate to this theme. 'South Africa has a rich diversity of wildlife' is entirely unrelated to water conservation and breaks the paragraph's coherence.
Question 6: A paragraph argues that university students must develop independent study habits. Which sentence best concludes this argument?
- Many students enjoy studying with friends.
- University libraries are open until midnight on weekdays.
- Developing self-discipline in managing study time is therefore fundamental to academic success. (Correct answer)
- Lecturers should remind students to attend all scheduled classes.
Correct answer: Developing self-discipline in managing study time is therefore fundamental to academic success.
A strong concluding sentence reinforces the paragraph's central claim and signals closure. Option C directly links self-discipline (an aspect of independent study) to academic success, uses the logical connector 'therefore', and rounds off the argument. The other options introduce tangential or new ideas.
NBT Academic Literacy: Text Coherence and Discourse Organisation
Which word or phrase signals a CONTRAST between two ideas in academic writing?