NBT Academic Vocabulary and Language Flashcards

Which sentence contains a word used in an incorrect academic register?

Answer: The experiment was super hard to do and the results were kinda weird.

Words like 'super,' 'kinda,' and 'weird' are informal and inappropriate for academic writing.

The word 'ostensibly' in the sentence 'He was ostensibly working but spent most of his time online' means:

Answer: Apparently or on the surface, though perhaps not actually

'Ostensibly' means as it appears on the surface, suggesting a difference between appearance and reality.

Which pair of words are antonyms?

Answer: Ambiguous and clear

'Ambiguous' means unclear or open to multiple interpretations, while 'clear' means easily understood — they are opposites.

In academic texts, what is the function of a 'thesis statement'?

Answer: To state the central argument or claim the essay will support

A thesis statement presents the central argument or position that the rest of the essay will develop and support.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses the word 'viable':

Answer: Reducing carbon emissions is a viable strategy for addressing climate change.

'Viable' is an adjective meaning capable of working successfully, and it correctly modifies 'strategy' in this sentence.

What does it mean when an argument is described as 'tautological'?

Answer: It repeats the same point using different words without adding new information

A tautological argument is circular, restating the premise in the conclusion without offering new support.

Which word correctly completes this sentence? 'The professor asked students to _______ between the two competing theories before forming an opinion.'

Answer: differentiate

'Differentiate' means to recognize or identify differences between things, which fits the context of distinguishing between two theories.