iTEP Academic — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage reads: 'The company's profits were buoyed by an unexpected surge in consumer demand.' What does 'buoyed' mean here?
- Damaged and weakened
- Complicated by
- Temporarily disrupted
- Supported and lifted up (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Supported and lifted up
'Buoyed' means lifted up or supported — like a buoy keeping something afloat. Here, the surge in demand supported and increased profits.
Question 2: Read: 'The policy, while well-intentioned, had unintended consequences that exacerbated the very problems it sought to address.' What does 'exacerbated' mean?
- Gradually reduced
- Brought attention to
- Temporarily solved
- Made worse or more severe (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Made worse or more severe
'Exacerbated' means made a problem worse or more intense — the opposite of solving it.
Question 3: Which of the following questions would be most appropriate in a business setting to discuss project deadlines?
- How was your weekend?
- Can you explain the benefits of this product?
- When is the final report due? (Correct answer)
- What time does the meeting start?
Correct answer: When is the final report due?
The question "When is the final report due?" directly addresses project deadlines, which is a common and appropriate topic in a business setting. This question is specific to project management and professional communication. The other questions are either too general, about product benefits, or informal for discussing project timelines.
Question 4: During a biology lecture, the professor says: 'This mechanism is, in essence, what differentiates prokaryotic cells from eukaryotic ones.' What does 'in essence' mean?
- According to recent research findings
- In the past; referring to earlier evolutionary history
- In most observed cases, but not all
- Fundamentally; at the most basic and important level (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Fundamentally; at the most basic and important level
'In essence' means fundamentally or at the most basic level — it introduces the core, most important aspect of something.
Question 5: Scenario: A scientist is explaining her research. She says, 'While our initial theory was promising, we could not find any empirical evidence to support it after months of laboratory testing.' What does 'empirical' evidence refer to?
- Evidence based on a single, compelling story
- Evidence based on popular opinion
- Evidence based on historical documents
- Evidence based on observation and experimentation (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Evidence based on observation and experimentation
'Empirical' evidence is information gathered through direct observation, measurement, or experimentation rather than theory or logic alone. [3, 9, 12] The mention of 'laboratory testing' strongly supports this definition.
Question 6: A professor says: 'I want you to critically evaluate the methodology, not just describe it.' What is the professor instructing students to do?
- Write a negative critique of the study's methods
- Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the research methods used (Correct answer)
- Provide a positive review of the research approach
- Simply explain how the research was conducted
Correct answer: Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the research methods used
'Critically evaluate' means to analyze carefully and assess both strengths and limitations, not to be purely negative or purely descriptive.
Question 7: A professor says: 'To put this in perspective, the Amazon rainforest produces approximately 20% of the world's oxygen.' What is the professor doing with this statement?
- Providing a specific statistic to help the audience appreciate the scale and significance of the topic (Correct answer)
- Correcting a misconception stated earlier in the lecture
- Transitioning to a new topic in the lecture
- Offering a personal opinion about environmental conservation
Correct answer: Providing a specific statistic to help the audience appreciate the scale and significance of the topic
'To put this in perspective' signals that what follows is a concrete fact or comparison intended to help the audience grasp the magnitude of what is being discussed.
Question 8: Scenario: You have just finished speaking for about 50 seconds about why you believe public transportation is beneficial, discussing its environmental and economic advantages. Which of the following would be the most effective concluding sentence?
- So, to begin, I think public transportation is a great idea.
- Furthermore, it also reduces traffic congestion in major cities.
- Therefore, because of its positive impact on both the environment and personal finances, public transportation is an essential service. (Correct answer)
- I guess that's all I have to say about this topic.
Correct answer: Therefore, because of its positive impact on both the environment and personal finances, public transportation is an essential service.
A strong conclusion should briefly summarize the main points (environmental, financial impact) and restate the speaker's main opinion. This sentence effectively wraps up the argument and provides a clear, concise final thought, leaving a strong impression on the listener.
Question 9: Which strategy best helps test-takers perform well on spontaneous spoken response tasks?
- Practicing speaking about familiar topics quickly and clearly (Correct answer)
- Memorizing a fixed set of phrases and inserting them into any response
- Focusing only on using advanced vocabulary
- Avoiding all pauses even if ideas are unclear
Correct answer: Practicing speaking about familiar topics quickly and clearly
Regular practice speaking naturally and clearly about familiar topics builds the fluency and confidence needed to respond well under time pressure.
Question 10: Listen to the following conversation and answer the question (imagine the audio): <br> Conversation: "Manager: We need to finalize the budget for the next quarter. Can you prepare the report by Friday? Employee: Yes, I’ll have it ready by Thursday afternoon." <br> Question: When will the employee have the report ready?
- Wednesday morning
- Monday
- Friday
- Thursday afternoon (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Thursday afternoon
The manager asks for the report by Friday. However, the employee explicitly states, "Yes, I’ll have it ready by Thursday afternoon." This response directly indicates the specific time the employee expects to complete and submit the report.
Question 11: The professor insisted that all essays __________ submitted through the online portal by midnight.
- be (Correct answer)
- will be
- are
- were
Correct answer: be
This sentence uses the subjunctive mood, which is required after verbs of demand or recommendation like 'insist that'. The subjunctive form is the base form of the verb (e.g., 'be', 'submit', 'do') for all subjects.
Question 12: Read the passage about the history of coffee houses. 'The first coffee houses in the 17th-century England, known as 'penny universities,' were remarkably egalitarian spaces. For the price of a penny, any man, regardless of his social standing, could enter and engage in serious discourse on topics ranging from politics and finance to science and literature. Unlike taverns, where alcohol consumption was primary, coffee houses fostered a culture of sobriety and intellectual debate. They became vital hubs for commerce, with merchants and brokers conducting business, and also served as post offices and reading rooms, providing access to the latest pamphlets and newspapers.' Which of the following best describes the author's purpose in this passage?
- To inform the reader about the historical significance of English coffee houses. (Correct answer)
- To argue that coffee is healthier than alcohol.
- To persuade the reader to visit a modern coffee shop.
- To compare the architecture of coffee houses and taverns.
Correct answer: To inform the reader about the historical significance of English coffee houses.
The passage provides factual information about the role and function of coffee houses in 17th-century England, detailing their importance in intellectual, social, and commercial life. The purpose is clearly to inform, not to persuade, argue a health point, or focus on architecture.
Question 13: Which sentence uses an absolute phrase correctly?
- Her work having been completed, she submitted the report and left the office.
- Her work completed, she submitted the report and left the office.
- Her work being completed, she submitted the report and left the office.
- All of the above are correct uses of absolute phrases. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All of the above are correct uses of absolute phrases.
All three options (A, B, C) are valid forms of absolute phrases: bare past participle, participial with 'being', and perfect participial with 'having been' are all grammatically acceptable.
Question 14: In an astronomy lecture, the professor is discussing the concept of 'dark matter'. Which of the following statements would most likely indicate the lecturer is about to transition to a new, related point?
- 'In conclusion, dark matter remains one of the greatest mysteries in modern cosmology.'
- 'For example, the rotation speed of galaxies cannot be explained by visible matter alone.'
- 'To reiterate, the evidence for dark matter is primarily gravitational.'
- 'Let's move on from what dark matter is, and consider how scientists are trying to detect it.' (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 'Let's move on from what dark matter is, and consider how scientists are trying to detect it.'
The phrase 'Let's move on from... and consider...' is a clear signpost phrase used by lecturers to signal a shift from one sub-topic to another. The other options are for reiterating a point, giving an example, or concluding the lecture.
Question 15: Which of the following are the three essential components of a well-structured introductory paragraph for an academic essay?
- A summary of body paragraphs, a personal opinion, and a question.
- A main argument, a counter-argument, and a rebuttal.
- A topic sentence, supporting evidence, and a concluding sentence.
- A hook, background information, and a thesis statement. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A hook, background information, and a thesis statement.
A standard academic introduction is designed to engage the reader and set up the essay's argument. It begins with a 'hook' to capture interest, provides necessary background information to contextualize the topic, and concludes with a clear thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay.
Question 16: In a spontaneous spoken response, a test-taker is asked: 'What do you enjoy about living in your city?' The response should ideally:
- Describe every neighborhood in detail
- Focus only on comparing the city to other places
- List as many features as possible without explanation
- Include two or three specific examples with brief explanations (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Include two or three specific examples with brief explanations
Providing two or three focused, well-explained examples demonstrates both depth of thought and clarity of expression, which are key scoring criteria.
Question 17: Choose the sentence that correctly applies subject-verb agreement with a collective noun.
- The jury have reached their individual verdicts.
- The jury are reach a verdict.
- The jury has reached a verdict. (Correct answer)
- The jury was reaching their verdict together.
Correct answer: The jury has reached a verdict.
In American English, collective nouns (jury, team, committee) take singular verbs when acting as a unified body. 'Has reached' correctly uses singular agreement.
Question 18: A speaker says: 'The study's findings were, at best, inconclusive.' What does the speaker's tone suggest?
- The speaker is skeptical and unimpressed with the study's results. (Correct answer)
- The speaker is enthusiastic about the potential of the research.
- The speaker is neutral and has no opinion on the findings.
- The speaker believes the findings are very reliable and useful.
Correct answer: The speaker is skeptical and unimpressed with the study's results.
'At best, inconclusive' uses a minimizing qualifier ('at best') to emphasize that even in the most favorable interpretation, the results are still unsatisfying.
Question 19: The passage states: 'While proponents argue the policy will stimulate economic growth, detractors warn of unforeseen fiscal repercussions.' What does 'repercussions' mean?
- Public reactions and protests against a policy
- Indirect or unexpected consequences resulting from an action (Correct answer)
- Immediate and direct results of a decision
- Financial benefits derived from economic growth
Correct answer: Indirect or unexpected consequences resulting from an action
'Repercussions' are the indirect, often unintended consequences or aftereffects of an action — usually negative and not immediately obvious.
Question 20: Read the hotel review: 'The concierge was incredibly resourceful and helped us secure last-minute theatre tickets.' What does 'resourceful' mean?
- Very friendly and outgoing
- Knowledgeable about local history
- Able to speak multiple languages
- Skilled at finding solutions and using available means effectively (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Skilled at finding solutions and using available means effectively
'Resourceful' means having the ability to find quick and clever ways to solve problems or accomplish things, even with limited resources.
Question 21: During a lecture about urban planning, the speaker mentions several factors contributing to traffic congestion. Which of the following is the most effective way to take notes to capture the main points?
- Create a list or mind map using keywords and short phrases for each factor mentioned. (Correct answer)
- Only write down the statistics and data points the speaker provides.
- Draw a detailed map of a city and label the congested areas.
- Write down every single word the speaker says to avoid missing details.
Correct answer: Create a list or mind map using keywords and short phrases for each factor mentioned.
Effective note-taking in a lecture involves identifying and recording the main ideas and supporting points, not transcribing the entire speech. Using keywords, lists, or mind maps is an efficient strategy to organize information and capture the essential factors without getting bogged down in minor details.
Question 22: Identify the sentence that correctly uses a reduced relative clause.
- The data collected from the experiment supported the hypothesis. (Correct answer)
- The data that was collected from the experiment supported the hypothesis.
- The data having collected from the experiment supported the hypothesis.
- The data collecting from the experiment supported the hypothesis.
Correct answer: The data collected from the experiment supported the hypothesis.
Passive reduced relative clauses drop 'that was/which was' and use just the past participle. 'Collected' replaces 'that was collected'.
Question 23: Read: 'Despite its seemingly paradoxical nature, the theory has gained considerable traction in academic circles.' What does 'paradoxical' mean?
- Apparently self-contradictory or contrary to common sense, yet possibly true (Correct answer)
- Recently developed and not yet tested
- Based on flawed or incorrect reasoning
- Overly complex and difficult to understand
Correct answer: Apparently self-contradictory or contrary to common sense, yet possibly true
A paradox is a statement that appears self-contradictory or contrary to expectation but may contain truth — 'paradoxical' is its adjective form.
Question 24: Read: 'The philanthropist's largesse extended to funding schools, hospitals, and community centers across the region.' What does 'largesse' mean?
- Generous giving of money or gifts, especially by a wealthy person (Correct answer)
- Legal documentation of donations
- Strict control over financial resources
- Physical size and scale of a building project
Correct answer: Generous giving of money or gifts, especially by a wealthy person
'Largesse' means the generous bestowal of gifts, money, or benefits, especially by someone in a position of wealth or power.
Question 25: Which sentence correctly uses a fronted adverbial for emphasis?
- Under no circumstances employees should share their access credentials.
- Under no circumstances would employees should share their access credentials.
- Under no circumstances should employees share their access credentials. (Correct answer)
- Under no circumstances employees share their access credentials.
Correct answer: Under no circumstances should employees share their access credentials.
Fronting a negative adverbial ('under no circumstances') requires subject-auxiliary inversion: 'should employees' not 'employees should'.
Question 26: Never before __________ such a breathtaking display of astronomical phenomena.
- I have seen
- I saw
- have I seen (Correct answer)
- did I see
Correct answer: have I seen
When a sentence begins with a negative adverbial expression like 'Never before', it requires subject-verb inversion. The auxiliary verb ('have') must come before the subject ('I'). Therefore, 'have I seen' is the correct inverted structure.
Question 27: Which sentence correctly uses a mixed conditional?
- If she studied harder in school, she would be in a better position now.
- If she had studied harder in school, she would have been in a better position.
- If she studies harder in school, she will be in a better position now.
- If she had studied harder in school, she would be in a better position now. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: If she had studied harder in school, she would be in a better position now.
A mixed conditional combines Type 3 condition (past hypothetical: 'if + past perfect') with Type 2 result (present consequence: 'would + base verb').
Question 28: Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb after 'wish'?
- I wish I spoke French fluently. (Correct answer)
- I wish I am speaking French fluently.
- I wish I will speak French fluently.
- I wish I speak French fluently.
Correct answer: I wish I spoke French fluently.
After 'wish' expressing a present unreal situation, use the past simple tense (not the present or future).
Question 29: During the 30-45 seconds of preparation time for a Prepared Spoken Response, what is the most effective strategy to use?
- Think of as many complex vocabulary words as possible to include.
- Create a brief outline with a main idea and two or three key supporting points. (Correct answer)
- Write down a full script of the entire speech to read aloud.
- Silently rehearse your entire speech word-for-word in your head.
Correct answer: Create a brief outline with a main idea and two or three key supporting points.
Given the short preparation time, creating a simple outline is the most efficient way to organize your thoughts. This ensures your response is well-structured and covers the key points without the risk of sounding unnatural or running out of time, which can happen if you try to write a full script.
Question 30: Read the excerpt: 'Critics contend that the proposed legislation is draconian, arguing it would strip citizens of fundamental rights.' What does 'draconian' mean?
- Ambiguous and poorly defined
- Excessively harsh and severe (Correct answer)
- Carefully planned and well-researched
- Temporary and subject to regular review
Correct answer: Excessively harsh and severe
'Draconian' describes laws or measures that are extremely harsh or severe, derived from the ancient Athenian lawmaker Draco known for his severe legal code.
Question 31: An au pair hears: 'The baby has been fussy all day — she hasn't napped at all.' What can be inferred?
- The baby slept too much and is now restless.
- The baby is ill and needs a doctor.
- The baby is tired and irritable because she did not sleep during the day. (Correct answer)
- The baby is happy and playful.
Correct answer: The baby is tired and irritable because she did not sleep during the day.
'Fussy' means irritable and hard to please. The baby hasn't napped, which means she missed her daytime sleep, explaining her fussiness.
Question 32: Read the passage: 'The children were exhausted after their long journey, so they fell asleep immediately.' What does 'exhausted' mean in this context?
- Extremely tired (Correct answer)
- Very excited
- Completely lost
- Slightly hungry
Correct answer: Extremely tired
'Exhausted' means extremely tired, which explains why the children fell asleep immediately after their journey.
Question 33: Read: 'The research team was lauded for its rigorous methodology, which included double-blind trials and extensive peer review.' What does 'rigorous' mean in this context?
- Quick and efficient
- Widely accepted by the scientific community
- Creative and experimental
- Extremely thorough and strict in procedure (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Extremely thorough and strict in procedure
'Rigorous' means very strict, thorough, and careful — describing high-standard scientific methodology.
Question 34: A passage states: 'The novelist's prose was lauded for its economy of language — every word served a precise purpose.' What does 'economy of language' suggest about the writing style?
- The writing uses simple vocabulary to reach a wide audience.
- The writing is sparse due to limited vocabulary.
- The writing focuses on economic and financial themes.
- The writing is concise and avoids unnecessary words. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The writing is concise and avoids unnecessary words.
'Economy of language' is a literary term meaning conciseness — using only the words necessary to convey meaning precisely, without excess.
Question 35: A speaker in a meeting says: 'We need to address the elephant in the room — our budget shortfall.' What does 'the elephant in the room' refer to?
- An obvious and serious problem that everyone is aware of but avoids discussing (Correct answer)
- A new and unexpected financial challenge
- A problem that only the speaker has noticed
- A very large and complicated budget issue
Correct answer: An obvious and serious problem that everyone is aware of but avoids discussing
'The elephant in the room' is an idiom for an obvious problem or difficult topic that is present but is being deliberately ignored or avoided in conversation.
Question 36: Read the following sentence: 'The manager asked the auditor to scrutinize the financial records to ensure there were no errors before the annual report was published.' In this context, to 'scrutinize' means to:
- summarize briefly
- copy quickly
- examine carefully and critically (Correct answer)
- destroy completely
Correct answer: examine carefully and critically
To 'scrutinize' something means to inspect or examine it in minute detail. [7, 8] The context of an auditor checking financial records for errors implies a very thorough and careful examination.
Question 37: An au pair writes: 'I have been living with the host family since six months.' What is the error?
- There is no error
- 'since' should be 'for' (Correct answer)
- 'host family' should be 'hosting family'
- 'have been living' should be 'live'
Correct answer: 'since' should be 'for'
'Since' is used with a specific point in time, while 'for' is used with a duration of time such as 'six months'.
Question 38: A passage reads: 'The author argues that urbanization, rather than being the primary driver of inequality, is merely a symptom of deeper structural issues.' What is the author's main claim?
- Structural issues are less significant than urbanization in explaining inequality.
- Urbanization does not cause inequality; it is itself a result of underlying structural problems. (Correct answer)
- Inequality causes both urbanization and other structural problems simultaneously.
- Urbanization is the most important cause of inequality in modern societies.
Correct answer: Urbanization does not cause inequality; it is itself a result of underlying structural problems.
The author argues that urbanization is a symptom (effect), not the primary driver (cause), of deeper structural issues that are the real source of inequality.
Question 39: You are given the iTEP prompt: "Some people prefer to live in a big city, while others prefer a small town. Which do you prefer and why?" Which of the following is the most effective opening statement for your spoken response?
- Well, today I'm going to talk about cities and towns. There are many kinds of both all over the world.
- I believe that living in a big city offers more opportunities and excitement, which is why I prefer it. (Correct answer)
- Big cities are noisy, but small towns are boring. It's a difficult choice to make.
- I live in a small town now. My town has a population of 5,000 people and one main street.
Correct answer: I believe that living in a big city offers more opportunities and excitement, which is why I prefer it.
A strong opening statement should directly address the prompt, state a clear preference, and briefly introduce the reasons. This sets up a logical structure for the rest of the response, making it easy for the listener to follow your argument.
Question 40: Listen to the beginning of a talk on photography. The speaker says, 'Today, we'll look at three key areas. First, we'll cover the basics of exposure: aperture and shutter speed. After that, we'll discuss principles of composition, like the rule of thirds. Finally, I'll offer some quick tips for editing your photos.' What will the speaker discuss immediately after explaining the basics of exposure?
- Principles of composition. (Correct answer)
- How to choose a good camera.
- Tips for editing photos.
- The history of photography.
Correct answer: Principles of composition.
The speaker uses sequential language to structure the talk. They state that 'After that' (referring to the basics of exposure), 'we'll discuss principles of composition.'
Question 41: A professor says: 'While critics contend the theory is overly reductive, its proponents argue it provides a parsimonious explanation.' What does 'parsimonious' mean in this academic context?
- Economical and using the fewest assumptions necessary to explain a phenomenon (Correct answer)
- Overly simplified to the point of being incorrect
- Financially conservative and avoiding unnecessary costs
- Deliberately selective about which evidence to include
Correct answer: Economical and using the fewest assumptions necessary to explain a phenomenon
In academic and scientific contexts, 'parsimony' refers to the principle of using the simplest explanation with the fewest assumptions — also known as Occam's Razor.
Question 42: Choose the sentence that correctly uses 'fewer' vs. 'less'.
- Less exercises were completed by the group.
- Fewer milk was used in the recipe than expected.
- Fewer students enrolled in the advanced class this semester. (Correct answer)
- Less students enrolled in the advanced class this semester.
Correct answer: Fewer students enrolled in the advanced class this semester.
'Fewer' is used with countable nouns (students), while 'less' is used with uncountable nouns (milk, information).
Question 43: Read: 'The author employs an extended metaphor throughout the novel, comparing the protagonist's psychological journey to a sea voyage fraught with storms and calm waters alike.' What is an extended metaphor?
- A metaphor that is explained explicitly to the reader
- A metaphor that uses highly technical or academic language
- A metaphor that is developed consistently across a large portion of a text (Correct answer)
- A metaphor borrowed from another literary work
Correct answer: A metaphor that is developed consistently across a large portion of a text
An extended metaphor sustains a single comparison throughout a work or a large section of it, developing multiple aspects of the comparison.
Question 44: A passage about environmental policy states: 'The regulations were implemented incrementally to minimize economic disruption.' What does 'incrementally' mean?
- At the insistence of environmental groups
- Only in certain geographic regions
- All at once without prior warning
- Gradually, in small steps over time (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Gradually, in small steps over time
'Incrementally' means in a series of small steps or gradual increases, rather than all at once.
Question 45: Which sentence correctly uses a modal verb to express a recommendation to a hotel guest?
- You should try the rooftop restaurant — it has excellent views. (Correct answer)
- You must try the rooftop restaurant — it has excellent views.
- You had tried the rooftop restaurant — it has excellent views.
- You are trying the rooftop restaurant — it has excellent views.
Correct answer: You should try the rooftop restaurant — it has excellent views.
'Should' expresses a polite recommendation. 'Must' expresses obligation, which is too strong for a personal recommendation.
Question 46: Which of the following sentences contains a grammatical error?
- Each of the participants is required to sign a waiver.
- Neither the students nor the teacher were prepared for the fire drill. (Correct answer)
- A number of solutions have been proposed.
- The manager, as well as the employees, was happy with the result.
Correct answer: Neither the students nor the teacher were prepared for the fire drill.
The sentence 'Neither the students nor the teacher were prepared for the fire drill' is incorrect. When using 'neither/nor' or 'either/or', the verb should agree with the noun that is closer to it. In this case, 'teacher' is a singular noun, so the verb should be 'was', not 'were'.
Question 47: Choose the sentence with the correct use of a cleft structure for emphasis.
- It was the unexpected budget cuts which caused the project failing.
- It was the unexpected budget cuts that caused the project failing.
- It was the unexpected budget cuts what caused the project to fail.
- It was the unexpected budget cuts that caused the project to fail. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: It was the unexpected budget cuts that caused the project to fail.
A 'it-cleft' structure uses 'It was + [emphasized element] + that + [rest of clause]'. 'That' (not 'which' or 'what') is the standard connector.
Question 48: A student writes: 'The research suggests that regular exercise has numerous benefits for mental health. For instance, a 2019 study found that participants who exercised three times weekly reported 35% fewer symptoms of depression.' What writing technique is demonstrated?
- Using a specific example to support a general claim (Correct answer)
- Introducing a new thesis in the middle of the essay
- Making a personal argument without evidence
- Summarizing findings from multiple sources
Correct answer: Using a specific example to support a general claim
The student makes a general claim ('numerous benefits for mental health') and then provides a specific supporting example ('a 2019 study...').
Question 49: The article states: 'Despite their ostensibly friendly partnership, the two companies were fierce rivals behind closed doors.' What does 'ostensibly' mean?
- Formerly or in the past
- Genuinely and authentically
- Legally and contractually
- Apparently or on the surface, though not necessarily so in reality (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Apparently or on the surface, though not necessarily so in reality
'Ostensibly' means seemingly or apparently — what appears to be the case on the surface, which may differ from the underlying reality.
Question 50: In a lecture, you hear: 'Climate change is, by and large, attributable to human activity.' What does 'by and large' mean?
- In general; mostly; on the whole (Correct answer)
- According to recent large-scale studies
- In some specific cases only
- Completely and without exception
Correct answer: In general; mostly; on the whole
'By and large' is a fixed idiom meaning generally, mostly, or on the whole — it allows for exceptions while stating the general truth.
iTEP Academic
The International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) assesses English language skills across grammar, listening, reading, writing, and speaking, scored on a 0-6 scale.
Exam Rules
- You can skip questions and return to them later
- Flag questions for review before submitting
- No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
- Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
- 10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
- Timer auto-submits when time runs out
- Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds