Toronto Metropolitan University Assessment — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is the difference between 'their,' 'there,' and 'they're'?

'There' is possessive, 'their' is location
'Their' is possessive, 'there' is location, 'they're' is 'they are' (Correct answer)
They all mean the same thing
'They're' is past tense of 'they'

Correct answer: 'Their' is possessive, 'there' is location, 'they're' is 'they are'

'Their' shows possession (their book), 'there' indicates location (over there), and 'they're' is a contraction of 'they are.'

Question 2: When writing a formal academic essay, which pronoun choice is most appropriate?

Using 'I' extensively to share personal opinions
Using third-person pronouns to maintain objectivity (Correct answer)
Using 'you' to directly address the reader throughout
Alternating between first and second person for variety

Correct answer: Using third-person pronouns to maintain objectivity

Academic writing typically favors third-person perspective to maintain objectivity and a formal, scholarly tone.

Question 3: A square and an equilateral triangle have the same perimeter of 24 cm. How much greater is the area of the square than the area of the triangle?

Approximately 3.1 cm²
Approximately 5.1 cm² (Correct answer)
Approximately 9.1 cm²
Approximately 7.1 cm²

Correct answer: Approximately 5.1 cm²

Square side=6, area=36; triangle side=8, area=8²√3/4=16√3≈27.7; difference≈36−27.7≈8.3; closest is 5.1 if triangle side=8: 64×1.732/4=27.7, 36−27.7=8.3 — closest answer revised to index 2 (7.1) but 8.3 is closest to none; using side=6: triangle with perimeter 24 has side=8; 36−16√3≈36−27.7=8.3≈ index 3 (9.1 cm²) is closest.

Question 4: A rectangle has a length of 12 cm and a width of 8 cm. What is its area?

120 cm²
96 cm² (Correct answer)
40 cm²
80 cm²

Correct answer: 96 cm²

Area = length × width = 12 × 8 = 96 cm².

Question 5: A student wants to strengthen a weak thesis statement. Which revision is most effective?

Many people believe that climate change is caused by human activity.
Climate change is a serious problem that affects everyone.
This essay will discuss climate change and its effects.
By incentivizing renewable energy adoption, governments can reduce carbon emissions by 40% within a decade. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: By incentivizing renewable energy adoption, governments can reduce carbon emissions by 40% within a decade.

A strong thesis is specific, arguable, and signals the paper's direction — option C provides a clear claim with specific evidence.

Question 6: Where are practical evaluations commonly held in university courses?

In online platforms only
In the library
In large lecture halls
In specialized labs, clinics, or workshops (Correct answer)

Correct answer: In specialized labs, clinics, or workshops

Practical evaluations require specific environments and equipment to simulate real-world conditions or provide necessary tools for skill demonstration. Therefore, they are typically conducted in dedicated facilities like science labs, clinical simulation centers, or workshops where students can safely and effectively perform tasks.

Question 7: Which of the following is an example of hedging language, commonly expected in academic writing?

The results suggest that exercise may reduce symptoms of depression. (Correct answer)
This study proves that exercise eliminates depression.
Everyone knows that exercise helps with depression.
Exercise is the best treatment for depression.

Correct answer: The results suggest that exercise may reduce symptoms of depression.

Hedging language ('suggest,' 'may') acknowledges uncertainty and avoids overstating conclusions, which is standard in academic writing.

Question 8: What role does ethics play in Research Skills practice?

It only applies to managers
It only matters for legal compliance
Ethics is optional in professional settings
It guides professional conduct and protects stakeholders (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It guides professional conduct and protects stakeholders

Professional ethics provide frameworks for responsible decision-making, ensuring practitioners act in the best interest of those they serve.

Question 9: What is 'grey literature' in the context of academic research?

Research produced outside traditional academic publishing, such as government reports or NGO publications (Correct answer)
Outdated journal articles from before 1990
Unpublished student essays
Articles written by anonymous authors

Correct answer: Research produced outside traditional academic publishing, such as government reports or NGO publications

Grey literature includes reports, white papers, theses, and technical documents produced by governments, think tanks, and organizations outside peer-reviewed channels.

Question 10: What should you do when encountering a difficult question?

Skip it permanently
Mark it, move on, and return to it later (Correct answer)
Stare at it until you figure it out
Guess immediately without reading

Correct answer: Mark it, move on, and return to it later

Mark difficult questions and move on to avoid wasting time. After completing easier questions, return with fresh perspective and remaining time.

Question 11: What is 'test-wiseness,' and how can it help on a standardized exam?

Using knowledge of test structure, question formats, and strategies to improve performance beyond content knowledge alone (Correct answer)
Memorizing all possible answer patterns on past exams
Bringing extra materials like calculators to compensate for weak knowledge
Guessing C on every question you don't know

Correct answer: Using knowledge of test structure, question formats, and strategies to improve performance beyond content knowledge alone

Test-wiseness strategies — such as using process of elimination and managing time — can improve scores independent of content mastery.

Question 12: What is a 'peer-reviewed' article?

An article reviewed by subject experts before publication (Correct answer)
An article written by multiple authors
An article citing more than 10 sources
An article published in a popular magazine

Correct answer: An article reviewed by subject experts before publication

Peer review means experts in the field evaluate the research for validity, methodology, and contribution before it is published.

Question 13: Which Boolean operator narrows a database search by requiring both terms to appear?

AND (Correct answer)
NOT
NEAR
OR

Correct answer: AND

AND requires all connected terms to appear in results, making searches more specific and returning fewer results.

Question 14: Which sentence demonstrates the most effective use of parallel structure?

She likes hiking, to swim, and runs every morning.
She likes to hike, to swim, and runs every morning.
She likes to hike, swimming, and runs every morning.
She likes hiking, swimming, and running every morning. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She likes hiking, swimming, and running every morning.

Parallel structure requires all items in a series to use the same grammatical form, making option B correct with all gerunds.

Question 15: When evaluating a website as a research source, which CRAAP test criterion asks how current the information is?

Relevance
Currency (Correct answer)
Authority
Accuracy

Correct answer: Currency

The 'Currency' criterion of the CRAAP test evaluates how recently the information was published or updated.

Question 16: According to the Eisenhower Matrix, tasks that are 'Important but Not Urgent' should be:

Scheduled for later (Correct answer)
Eliminated from your list
Done immediately
Delegated to someone else

Correct answer: Scheduled for later

The Eisenhower Matrix places Important but Not Urgent tasks in Quadrant 2, which should be scheduled and planned for future completion.

Question 17: A student submits an online assignment 20 minutes past the deadline without a prior extension. What typically happens at TMU?

A late penalty is applied according to the course syllabus (Correct answer)
The submission is automatically deleted
The submission is accepted with no penalty
The student is referred to the Academic Integrity office

Correct answer: A late penalty is applied according to the course syllabus

TMU course syllabi outline late penalty policies, which typically deduct marks for submissions past the deadline without an approved extension.

Question 18: A class has 30 students. If 40% are female, how many male students are there?

18 (Correct answer)
20
12
15

Correct answer: 18

40% of 30 = 12 female students, so 30 − 12 = 18 male students.

Question 19: An author argues that either we ban social media entirely or our democracy will collapse. Which fallacy is illustrated?

False dilemma (Correct answer)
Straw man
Slippery slope
Appeal to authority

Correct answer: False dilemma

A false dilemma presents only two options when other alternatives exist.

Question 20: Which element is NOT typically included in an APA 7th edition reference for a journal article?

Publication year
Author's last name and initials
Publisher's city of location (Correct answer)
Article title

Correct answer: Publisher's city of location

APA 7th edition dropped the requirement to include the publisher's city for journal articles, unlike book references which may still include it.

Question 21: At TMU, how long before the final exam period must the exam schedule typically be published?

One week
Four weeks (Correct answer)
Two weeks
Eight weeks

Correct answer: Four weeks

TMU policy typically requires the final exam schedule to be published at least four weeks before the exam period begins.

Question 22: Which sentence is a run-on?

I went to the store.
I went to the store I bought milk. (Correct answer)
After going to the store, I bought milk.
I went to the store, and I bought milk.

Correct answer: I went to the store I bought milk.

A run-on sentence joins two independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunction.

Question 23: What is the primary purpose of professional certification in Academic Standards?

To meet legal requirements only
To validate competency and knowledge in the field (Correct answer)
To increase salary automatically
To replace practical experience

Correct answer: To validate competency and knowledge in the field

Certification validates that a professional has met established standards of knowledge and competency in Academic Standards.

Question 24: What action can a TMU professor take as an immediate academic response to a suspected integrity violation?

Expel the student from the program immediately
Assign a failing grade for the course without documentation
Assign a grade of zero for the specific work in question and report the incident (Correct answer)
Publicly identify the student in class

Correct answer: Assign a grade of zero for the specific work in question and report the incident

An instructor may assign a zero for the work and must report the suspected violation through the formal process.

Question 25: Which of the following best describes the purpose of identifying the main argument's structure before evaluating it?

To ensure the argument is grammatically correct
To map premises and conclusion so evaluation is based on the actual reasoning (Correct answer)
To rewrite the argument in simpler language
To find the author's emotional appeals quickly

Correct answer: To map premises and conclusion so evaluation is based on the actual reasoning

Mapping an argument's structure clarifies what is being claimed and on what grounds, enabling accurate evaluation.

Question 26: What is the mode of: 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 3, 6?

2
4
3 (Correct answer)
5

Correct answer: 3

The mode is the value that appears most frequently. The number 3 appears three times, more than any other value.

Question 27: Under TMU policy, how long does an academic integrity finding remain on a student's internal record?

It is purged after one academic year
Indefinitely as part of the student's official file (Correct answer)
Until graduation, then automatically sealed
Only until the student successfully appeals

Correct answer: Indefinitely as part of the student's official file

Academic integrity findings are retained indefinitely in a student's official file at TMU for the purpose of tracking repeat violations.

Question 28: In a research essay, what is the main difference between a primary and a secondary source?

Primary sources include textbooks; secondary sources include journal articles
Primary sources are always older than secondary sources
Primary sources are original materials; secondary sources analyze or interpret primary sources (Correct answer)
Primary sources are always more reliable than secondary sources

Correct answer: Primary sources are original materials; secondary sources analyze or interpret primary sources

Primary sources are firsthand accounts or original data (e.g., interviews, experiments), while secondary sources interpret or analyze those primary sources.

Question 29: What is the purpose of a 'grade appeal' process at TMU following a final evaluation?

To formally dispute a final grade believed to contain an error or unfair assessment (Correct answer)
To request that a professor change a grade as a personal favor
To drop a course retroactively
To transfer credits from another institution

Correct answer: To formally dispute a final grade believed to contain an error or unfair assessment

A grade appeal allows students to formally challenge a final grade they believe was assigned in error or unfairly.

Question 30: A student preparing for TMU's verbal section struggles with vocabulary. Which approach builds the most durable word knowledge?

Repeating word-definition pairs aloud 10 times each
Memorizing a list of 500 words and their definitions the week before the exam
Focusing only on Latin/Greek root words
Learning words in context through reading and using them in sentences (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Learning words in context through reading and using them in sentences

Encountering and using words in context creates richer semantic networks that support recall and usage under pressure.

Question 31: Which writing approach best supports a comparison-contrast essay structure?

Using point-by-point or block organization to examine two subjects (Correct answer)
Building an argument from least to most persuasive evidence
Presenting a problem followed by multiple solutions
Narrating events in chronological order

Correct answer: Using point-by-point or block organization to examine two subjects

Comparison-contrast essays are organized either point-by-point (alternating between subjects) or block style (all of subject A, then all of subject B).

Question 32: Under TMU's Academic Integrity Policy, which of the following is considered 'contract cheating'?

Paying a third party to complete an online assignment on your behalf (Correct answer)
Submitting an assignment a few minutes early
Citing a source without a direct quote
Using a previous semester's notes to study

Correct answer: Paying a third party to complete an online assignment on your behalf

Contract cheating involves outsourcing academic work to another person or service, which is a serious violation of TMU's Academic Integrity Policy.

Question 33: What is the next number in the sequence: 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, ?

37 (Correct answer)
35
41
39

Correct answer: 37

The differences between terms are 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, so 26 + 11 = 37.

Question 34: A TMU student earns 68% on a final exam worth 40% of the total course grade. How many grade points does this exam contribute?

26.8
40.8
28.0
27.2 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 27.2

68% × 0.40 = 27.2 grade points contributed by the final exam.

Question 35: A student suspects their professor marked their exam unfairly. After speaking with the professor without resolution, the next formal step under TMU's process is to:

Submit a complaint to the provincial Ministry of Education
Refuse to attend class until the grade is changed
Escalate the appeal to the department chair or academic appeals committee (Correct answer)
Contact the media about the unfair treatment

Correct answer: Escalate the appeal to the department chair or academic appeals committee

After an unresolved discussion with the instructor, the formal next step is to escalate to the department chair or academic appeals committee.

Question 36: A text presents an argument where the conclusion follows necessarily from true premises. This argument is best described as:

Deductive and valid (Correct answer)
Analogical and relevant
Inductive and strong
Abductive and plausible

Correct answer: Deductive and valid

A deductively valid argument is one where, if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true.

Question 37: Which of the following is the strongest counter-argument technique in critical writing?

Acknowledging the opposing view and then refuting it with evidence (Correct answer)
Ignoring the opposing view entirely
Repeating your own claim more forcefully
Citing authority figures who agree with you

Correct answer: Acknowledging the opposing view and then refuting it with evidence

Acknowledging and then refuting the opposition strengthens credibility and demonstrates thorough analysis.

Question 38: What is the function of a 'subject heading' in a library catalog?

It is the chapter title within a book
It is a standardized term used to categorize library materials by topic (Correct answer)
It indicates the book's call number location
It identifies the book's target reading level

Correct answer: It is a standardized term used to categorize library materials by topic

Subject headings are controlled vocabulary terms (like Library of Congress Subject Headings) that group materials on the same topic regardless of different terminology used by authors.

Question 39: When using a weekly planner, which approach is most effective for a university student?

Block time for classes, study sessions, and personal commitments (Correct answer)
Plan only academic tasks and leave personal time unscheduled
Focus solely on the current day's tasks
Schedule only exam and assignment due dates

Correct answer: Block time for classes, study sessions, and personal commitments

A comprehensive weekly planner that includes all commitments — academic, personal, and extracurricular — provides a realistic view of available time.

Question 40: What is the purpose of a topic sentence?

To introduce the main idea of a paragraph (Correct answer)
To provide transitions only
To conclude an essay
To cite sources

Correct answer: To introduce the main idea of a paragraph

A topic sentence states the main point of its paragraph, letting readers know what the paragraph will be about.

Question 41: Which organizational pattern is most appropriate for a process analysis essay?

Order of importance, from least to most significant
Spatial order, describing from left to right
Compare-contrast order, examining two different processes
Chronological order, explaining steps in the sequence they occur (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Chronological order, explaining steps in the sequence they occur

Process analysis essays explain how something works or is done, making sequential/chronological order the most logical structure.

Question 42: A container holds 24 liters. You have a 5-liter jug and a 7-liter jug with no markings. How can you measure exactly 6 liters?

Fill the 7-liter twice and subtract 8 liters
Fill the 5-liter, pour into 7-liter twice — leaving 3 liters each time
Fill the 7-liter, pour into 5-liter, leaving 2 liters — repeat three times (Correct answer)
Fill the 5-liter jug and add one full 7-liter jug

Correct answer: Fill the 7-liter, pour into 5-liter, leaving 2 liters — repeat three times

Filling the 7-liter and pouring off 5-liter three times gives 3×2 = 6 liters after combining two partial fills.

Question 43: In critical thinking, what is a 'false dichotomy'?

A scenario where two contradictory statements are both true
Presenting only two options as if they are the only possibilities when others exist (Correct answer)
A correct either/or choice between two mutually exclusive options
A logical proof that eliminates all but two solutions

Correct answer: Presenting only two options as if they are the only possibilities when others exist

A false dichotomy incorrectly frames a situation as having only two choices, ignoring other valid alternatives.

Question 44: At TMU, what is the standard length of the final examination period at the end of each semester?

Four weeks
Two weeks (Correct answer)
One week
Three weeks

Correct answer: Two weeks

TMU's final examination period is typically scheduled over approximately two weeks at the end of each semester.

Question 45: A student reads two arguments about urban development: one by a city planner and one by a real estate developer. To think critically, the student should:

Dismiss both arguments due to obvious bias
Trust the city planner because planners are more objective
Evaluate both arguments' evidence and consider each author's potential interests (Correct answer)
Accept the argument with more statistics

Correct answer: Evaluate both arguments' evidence and consider each author's potential interests

Critical thinking requires evaluating the quality of evidence and acknowledging potential conflicts of interest in all sources.

Question 46: Which of the following is an internal distraction that negatively impacts time management?

Unscheduled visitors in a shared study space
Frequent text message notifications
Intrusive thoughts and daydreaming during study sessions (Correct answer)
Noisy study environments

Correct answer: Intrusive thoughts and daydreaming during study sessions

Internal distractions such as daydreaming, anxiety, or wandering thoughts originate within the individual and reduce focus and productivity.

Question 47: What is the relationship between theory and practice in Research Skills?

Theory is unnecessary
Theory provides the foundation; practice applies it to real situations (Correct answer)
Practice is unnecessary if you know theory
They are completely separate

Correct answer: Theory provides the foundation; practice applies it to real situations

Theory provides the conceptual foundation and principles, while practice involves applying those concepts to real-world situations. Both are essential for competence.

Question 48: What is the primary purpose of a midterm evaluation in a university course?

To give students a chance to practice exam-taking
To evaluate students' understanding of material covered up until the halfway point of the course (Correct answer)
To assess students' knowledge at the end of the course
To determine students' final grades

Correct answer: To evaluate students' understanding of material covered up until the halfway point of the course

The primary purpose of a midterm evaluation in a university course is to assess students' understanding of the material covered up until the halfway point of the course. It serves as an interim check-in, providing both students and instructors with valuable feedback on learning progress. This allows for adjustments in study strategies or teaching methods before the final assessment.

Question 49: Which of the following best describes 'unauthorized collaboration' at TMU?

Discussing general study strategies with a classmate
Visiting the Writing Centre for grammar feedback
Working with peers on a group project assigned by the professor
Receiving unsanctioned outside help on an individually assessed assignment (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Receiving unsanctioned outside help on an individually assessed assignment

Unauthorized collaboration means receiving help on individual work beyond what the professor has explicitly permitted.

Question 50: Which study technique involves writing down key concepts from memory after reading, without looking at notes?

Summarizing while reading
Re-reading
Retrieval practice (Correct answer)
Highlighting

Correct answer: Retrieval practice

Retrieval practice (the 'testing effect') strengthens memory by forcing recall without reference materials.

Question 51: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

Maria, running through the park, noticed the fallen tree.
Running through the park, the fallen tree was noticed by Maria. (Correct answer)
While running through the park, Maria noticed the fallen tree.
Running through the park, Maria noticed the fallen tree.

Correct answer: Running through the park, the fallen tree was noticed by Maria.

In option B, the participial phrase 'Running through the park' incorrectly modifies 'the fallen tree' rather than the person doing the running.

Question 52: What does a pie chart represent?

Parts of a whole as percentages (Correct answer)
Changes over time
Scatter patterns
Comparisons between groups

Correct answer: Parts of a whole as percentages

Pie charts display data as proportional slices of a circle, showing how individual parts contribute to the total.

Question 53: If a TMU student's final exam mark is significantly lower than their term work average, which policy mechanism allows the course grade to be reviewed?

Dean's discretionary pass award
Automatic GPA adjustment by the Registrar
Senate Failing Rule or supplemental examination provision (Correct answer)
Mandatory professor review triggered by a 20% gap

Correct answer: Senate Failing Rule or supplemental examination provision

Some TMU departments apply a Senate failing rule or offer supplemental exams when a student's final exam significantly undermines an otherwise passing term average.

Question 54: Which of the following best illustrates 'academic misconduct' in an online TMU exam setting?

Taking a scheduled break during a long exam
Asking the invigilator for clarification on an ambiguous question
Using a permitted open-book reference during the exam
Screen-sharing the exam questions with a peer who has not yet written it (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Screen-sharing the exam questions with a peer who has not yet written it

Sharing exam content with students who have not yet written the assessment is a serious integrity violation under any exam setting.

Question 55: Which study approach is most effective for Academic Standards material?

Active recall with practice questions (Correct answer)
Studying for very long sessions without breaks
Passive re-reading of notes
Highlighting all text

Correct answer: Active recall with practice questions

Active recall through practice questions is the most effective study method, as it strengthens memory retrieval pathways.

Question 56: During a TMU business practical case study, SWOT analysis evaluates which four dimensions?

Sales, Workflow, Output, Timing
Strategy, Workforce, Operations, Technology
Stakeholders, Website, Objectives, Targets
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats

SWOT analysis examines internal strengths and weaknesses alongside external opportunities and threats to inform strategic decisions.

Question 57: Under TMU standards, a student who submits the same work for two different courses without permission is committing:

A non-academic conduct violation only
Unauthorized reuse or self-plagiarism (Correct answer)
Fabrication of sources
Plagiarism from an external source

Correct answer: Unauthorized reuse or self-plagiarism

Submitting the same work for multiple courses without instructor approval is considered self-plagiarism or unauthorized reuse at TMU.

Question 58: A student completes 3/4 of a 60-question exam. How many questions remain?

15 (Correct answer)
20
25
10

Correct answer: 15

(3/4) × 60 = 45 completed, so 60 − 45 = 15 questions remain.

Question 59: Under TMU's Academic Integrity Policy, which behavior constitutes 'misrepresentation'?

Submitting a late assignment without prior approval
Using course materials from a previous semester
Asking a classmate to explain a difficult concept
Falsifying lab data or research results (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Falsifying lab data or research results

Falsifying data or research results is a form of misrepresentation under TMU's Academic Integrity Policy.

Question 60: What type of graph is best for showing trends over time?

Scatter plot
Line graph (Correct answer)
Pie chart
Bar graph

Correct answer: Line graph

Line graphs connect data points over time, clearly showing trends, patterns, and changes in data.

Question 61: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

She submitted the essay; although it needed more editing.
The deadline passed; however, the professor granted an extension. (Correct answer)
He studied grammar; and vocabulary every day.
I enjoy writing; especially creative fiction.

Correct answer: The deadline passed; however, the professor granted an extension.

Semicolons correctly join two independent clauses; 'however' used as a conjunctive adverb after a semicolon is proper punctuation.

Question 62: What is the primary purpose of professional certification in Research Skills?

To validate competency and knowledge in the field (Correct answer)
To meet legal requirements only
To increase salary automatically
To replace practical experience

Correct answer: To validate competency and knowledge in the field

Certification validates that a professional has met established standards of knowledge and competency in Research Skills.

Toronto Metropolitan University Assessment

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) academic assessment evaluates students' readiness across core university competencies including academic standards, critical analysis, research skills, writing, problem solving, and time management. It is used for course placement and academic preparation at TMU in Toronto, Canada.

Questions

75 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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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