Academic Literacy Flashcards

Which of the following describes 'critical reading' in an academic context?

Answer: Evaluating a text's arguments, evidence, and assumptions rather than just accepting them

Critical reading involves actively questioning, analyzing, and evaluating a text's claims, evidence, logic, and underlying assumptions.

A sentence reads: 'The policy, albeit controversial, yielded measurable improvements.' What does 'albeit' mean?

Answer: Even though / although

'Albeit' is a conjunction meaning 'even though' or 'although,' used to introduce a concession within a single clause.

In a bar graph comparing test scores across five schools, a reader should first examine:

Answer: The axis labels and scale to understand what is being measured

Axis labels and scales define what the data represent and their magnitude, making them essential for accurate interpretation of any graph.

Which statement about a 'primary source' is most accurate?

Answer: It is an original document or first-hand account of events or data

A primary source is an original, first-hand document such as a diary, interview, experimental data, or historical record from the period under study.

If a question asks you to 'evaluate the effectiveness' of an argument, you should:

Answer: Assess the quality of its evidence, logic, and relevance to the claim

Evaluating effectiveness requires judging the argument's logical soundness, the quality of its evidence, and how well it supports its claim.

The term 'cohesion' in academic writing refers to:

Answer: The logical and grammatical connections that link sentences and paragraphs

Cohesion refers to how well a text hangs together through the use of linking words, pronouns, synonyms, and other connective devices.

In academic reading, 'skimming' is best used to:

Answer: Get a quick overview of a text's main topics and structure

Skimming involves reading titles, headings, topic sentences, and conclusions rapidly to get a general sense of a text before reading more carefully.