Academic Reading and Comprehension Flashcards
6 cards from real AQL practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Academic Reading and Comprehension flashcards as text
What is the difference between a primary and a secondary source?
Answer: A primary source is an original document; a secondary source analyzes or interprets primary sources
Primary sources are original materials (e.g., raw data, firsthand accounts), while secondary sources interpret, analyze, or summarize primary sources.
When reading an academic argument, which element is most important for evaluating its validity?
Answer: The quality and relevance of the evidence provided
The quality and relevance of evidence are the most critical factors in determining whether an academic argument is logically valid.
What does the term 'bias' mean in the context of academic reading?
Answer: A tendency to present information in a one-sided or skewed manner
Bias is a slant or predisposition that causes an author to present information unfairly or one-sidedly, often favoring a particular viewpoint.
The AQL exam may ask you to identify the 'purpose' of a passage. Which of the following is NOT a common author's purpose?
Answer: To confuse the reader deliberately
Common author's purposes include informing, persuading, and entertaining; deliberately confusing the reader is not a recognized academic writing purpose.
What is a 'thesis statement' in an academic essay?
Answer: The central claim or argument that the entire essay supports
A thesis statement is the central claim or main argument of an essay, typically found near the end of the introduction, that the body paragraphs support.
Which reading approach is best when you need to locate a specific date or statistic in a long passage?
Answer: Scanning
Scanning involves moving your eyes quickly through the text to find a specific piece of information, such as a number or proper noun.