Fall SemeSter 2025 – eNG1503 academic
laNGuaGe aNd literacy iN eNGliSh |
November/december PortFolio comPlete
aNSWerS | uPdated 2025/2026 editioN | veriFied
uNiSa Study Guide | due 12 december 2025 | 100%
exam-ready material For uNiverSity oF South
aFrica StudeNtS
Question 1:
Which of the following best defines "academic language"?
A) The informal language used in everyday conversation
B) The specialized vocabulary and structures used in scholarly writing
C) The language used exclusively in literature
D) The language spoken by professionals in various fields
Correct Option: B) The specialized vocabulary and structures used in scholarly writing
Rationale:
Academic language refers to the specific set of vocabulary and grammatical structures used in
scholarly contexts. It differs from everyday language by being more formal, complex, and
precise, making it essential for effective communication in academic settings.
Question 2:
What is the primary purpose of a thesis statement in an academic essay?
A) To introduce the author’s background
B) To summarize the entire essay
C) To present the main argument or claim of the paper
D) To provide a list of references
Correct Option: C) To present the main argument or claim of the paper
Rationale:
The thesis statement serves as the focal point of an academic essay, articulating the main
argument or claim that the writer intends to support throughout the text. It provides direction for
both the writer and the reader, outlining what to expect in the essay.
Question 3:
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of effective academic writing?
A) Clarity and precision
B) Use of slang and colloquialisms
,C) Logical organization
D) Formal tone
Correct Option: B) Use of slang and colloquialisms
Rationale:
Effective academic writing is characterized by clarity, logical structure, and a formal tone. The
use of slang and colloquialisms is inappropriate in academic contexts, as it can lead to
misunderstandings and detracts from the seriousness of the work.
Question 4:
In academic writing, which of the following is considered a reliable source?
A) Personal blogs
B) Peer-reviewed journal articles
C) Social media posts
D) Opinion pieces in newspapers
Correct Option: B) Peer-reviewed journal articles
Rationale:
Peer-reviewed journal articles are considered reliable sources because they have undergone
rigorous evaluation by experts in the field before publication. This process helps ensure the
credibility and scholarly integrity of the information presented.
Question 5:
What is the role of citations in academic writing?
A) To fill space in a paper
B) To credit sources and avoid plagiarism
C) To make the paper longer
D) To confuse the reader
Correct Option: B) To credit sources and avoid plagiarism
Rationale:
Citations are crucial in academic writing as they acknowledge the contributions of other
scholars and provide a pathway for readers to locate the original sources. Proper citation
practices help prevent plagiarism, which is a serious ethical violation in academia.
Question 6:
What is the primary function of a literature review in an academic paper?
A) To provide a personal opinion on the topic
B) To summarize previous research and identify gaps
C) To present the author’s original findings
D) To list all sources used in the paper
Correct Option: B) To summarize previous research and identify gaps
,Rationale:
A literature review synthesizes existing research on a topic, highlights key findings, and identifies
areas that require further investigation. This helps situate the current study within the broader
academic conversation.
Question 7:
Which of the following is an example of a primary source?
A) A textbook summarizing research findings
B) An original research article reporting experimental results
C) A review article discussing multiple studies
D) An encyclopedia entry on a historical event
Correct Option: B) An original research article reporting experimental results
Rationale:
Primary sources provide direct evidence or firsthand accounts related to a topic, such as
original research articles. In contrast, secondary sources summarize or analyze primary
sources.
Question 8:
What does the term "plagiarism" refer to in academic writing?
A) Quoting another author without citation
B) Paraphrasing without acknowledgment
C) Buying a paper online
D) All of the above
Correct Option: D) All of the above
Rationale:
Plagiarism encompasses various forms of academic dishonesty, including failing to cite sources
properly, paraphrasing without attribution, and submitting someone else's work as one's own. It
is a serious violation of academic integrity.
Question 9:
Which of the following strategies is most effective for improving academic vocabulary?
A) Reading fiction exclusively
B) Memorizing lists of words
C) Engaging with academic texts in various subjects
D) Avoiding complex texts
Correct Option: C) Engaging with academic texts in various subjects
Rationale:
Engaging with academic texts exposes students to the context in which vocabulary is used,
, helping them understand and remember new words effectively. This immersive approach is
more beneficial than rote memorization.
Question 10:
In academic writing, what is the significance of coherence?
A) It makes the writing sound more academic
B) It ensures that the writing is interesting
C) It helps the reader follow the argument logically
D) It allows for a more informal tone
Correct Option: C) It helps the reader follow the argument logically
Rationale:
Coherence refers to the logical flow of ideas in writing. Effective coherence allows readers to
understand the connections between concepts and follow the writer's argument without
confusion.
Question 11:
What is an "annotated bibliography"?
A) A list of sources without comments
B) A summary of each source with critical evaluations
C) A collection of quotes from various authors
D) A detailed analysis of a single source
Correct Option: B) A summary of each source with critical evaluations
Rationale:
An annotated bibliography includes citations for sources along with summaries and evaluations
of each source. This tool helps researchers keep track of their sources and assess their
relevance to their work.
Question 12:
Which of the following statements about paraphrasing is true?
A) It is simply changing a few words in a sentence.
B) It involves rewriting the text in one's own words while maintaining the original meaning.
C) It requires no citation as it is entirely original.
D) It is only necessary for direct quotes.
Correct Option: B) It involves rewriting the text in one's own words while maintaining the
original meaning.
Rationale:
Effective paraphrasing requires understanding the original text and then expressing the same
ideas in a new way. Proper citation is still necessary to credit the original source.
laNGuaGe aNd literacy iN eNGliSh |
November/december PortFolio comPlete
aNSWerS | uPdated 2025/2026 editioN | veriFied
uNiSa Study Guide | due 12 december 2025 | 100%
exam-ready material For uNiverSity oF South
aFrica StudeNtS
Question 1:
Which of the following best defines "academic language"?
A) The informal language used in everyday conversation
B) The specialized vocabulary and structures used in scholarly writing
C) The language used exclusively in literature
D) The language spoken by professionals in various fields
Correct Option: B) The specialized vocabulary and structures used in scholarly writing
Rationale:
Academic language refers to the specific set of vocabulary and grammatical structures used in
scholarly contexts. It differs from everyday language by being more formal, complex, and
precise, making it essential for effective communication in academic settings.
Question 2:
What is the primary purpose of a thesis statement in an academic essay?
A) To introduce the author’s background
B) To summarize the entire essay
C) To present the main argument or claim of the paper
D) To provide a list of references
Correct Option: C) To present the main argument or claim of the paper
Rationale:
The thesis statement serves as the focal point of an academic essay, articulating the main
argument or claim that the writer intends to support throughout the text. It provides direction for
both the writer and the reader, outlining what to expect in the essay.
Question 3:
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of effective academic writing?
A) Clarity and precision
B) Use of slang and colloquialisms
,C) Logical organization
D) Formal tone
Correct Option: B) Use of slang and colloquialisms
Rationale:
Effective academic writing is characterized by clarity, logical structure, and a formal tone. The
use of slang and colloquialisms is inappropriate in academic contexts, as it can lead to
misunderstandings and detracts from the seriousness of the work.
Question 4:
In academic writing, which of the following is considered a reliable source?
A) Personal blogs
B) Peer-reviewed journal articles
C) Social media posts
D) Opinion pieces in newspapers
Correct Option: B) Peer-reviewed journal articles
Rationale:
Peer-reviewed journal articles are considered reliable sources because they have undergone
rigorous evaluation by experts in the field before publication. This process helps ensure the
credibility and scholarly integrity of the information presented.
Question 5:
What is the role of citations in academic writing?
A) To fill space in a paper
B) To credit sources and avoid plagiarism
C) To make the paper longer
D) To confuse the reader
Correct Option: B) To credit sources and avoid plagiarism
Rationale:
Citations are crucial in academic writing as they acknowledge the contributions of other
scholars and provide a pathway for readers to locate the original sources. Proper citation
practices help prevent plagiarism, which is a serious ethical violation in academia.
Question 6:
What is the primary function of a literature review in an academic paper?
A) To provide a personal opinion on the topic
B) To summarize previous research and identify gaps
C) To present the author’s original findings
D) To list all sources used in the paper
Correct Option: B) To summarize previous research and identify gaps
,Rationale:
A literature review synthesizes existing research on a topic, highlights key findings, and identifies
areas that require further investigation. This helps situate the current study within the broader
academic conversation.
Question 7:
Which of the following is an example of a primary source?
A) A textbook summarizing research findings
B) An original research article reporting experimental results
C) A review article discussing multiple studies
D) An encyclopedia entry on a historical event
Correct Option: B) An original research article reporting experimental results
Rationale:
Primary sources provide direct evidence or firsthand accounts related to a topic, such as
original research articles. In contrast, secondary sources summarize or analyze primary
sources.
Question 8:
What does the term "plagiarism" refer to in academic writing?
A) Quoting another author without citation
B) Paraphrasing without acknowledgment
C) Buying a paper online
D) All of the above
Correct Option: D) All of the above
Rationale:
Plagiarism encompasses various forms of academic dishonesty, including failing to cite sources
properly, paraphrasing without attribution, and submitting someone else's work as one's own. It
is a serious violation of academic integrity.
Question 9:
Which of the following strategies is most effective for improving academic vocabulary?
A) Reading fiction exclusively
B) Memorizing lists of words
C) Engaging with academic texts in various subjects
D) Avoiding complex texts
Correct Option: C) Engaging with academic texts in various subjects
Rationale:
Engaging with academic texts exposes students to the context in which vocabulary is used,
, helping them understand and remember new words effectively. This immersive approach is
more beneficial than rote memorization.
Question 10:
In academic writing, what is the significance of coherence?
A) It makes the writing sound more academic
B) It ensures that the writing is interesting
C) It helps the reader follow the argument logically
D) It allows for a more informal tone
Correct Option: C) It helps the reader follow the argument logically
Rationale:
Coherence refers to the logical flow of ideas in writing. Effective coherence allows readers to
understand the connections between concepts and follow the writer's argument without
confusion.
Question 11:
What is an "annotated bibliography"?
A) A list of sources without comments
B) A summary of each source with critical evaluations
C) A collection of quotes from various authors
D) A detailed analysis of a single source
Correct Option: B) A summary of each source with critical evaluations
Rationale:
An annotated bibliography includes citations for sources along with summaries and evaluations
of each source. This tool helps researchers keep track of their sources and assess their
relevance to their work.
Question 12:
Which of the following statements about paraphrasing is true?
A) It is simply changing a few words in a sentence.
B) It involves rewriting the text in one's own words while maintaining the original meaning.
C) It requires no citation as it is entirely original.
D) It is only necessary for direct quotes.
Correct Option: B) It involves rewriting the text in one's own words while maintaining the
original meaning.
Rationale:
Effective paraphrasing requires understanding the original text and then expressing the same
ideas in a new way. Proper citation is still necessary to credit the original source.
